Longitude extended from the 13. degree and 20. minutes unto the 22. and 50. minutes according to the observation of Mercator It hath Britain Normandy and other parts of France upon the South the Lower Germany Denmark and Norway upon the East the Isles of Orkney and the Deucaledonian Sea upon the North the Hebrides upon the West and from it all other Islands and Ilets which do scatteredly inviron it and shelter themselves as it were under the shadow of Great Albion another name of this famous Island are also accounted Britannish and are therefore here described all together 4 Britain thus seated in the Ocean hath her praises not only in the present sense and use of her commodities but also in those honourable Eulogies which the learnedst of Antiquaries hath collected out of the noblest Authors that he scarce seemeth to have left any gleanings neither will we transplant them out of his flourishing Gardens but as necessity compels sith nothing can be further or otherwise better said 5 That Britain therefore is the Seas High Admiral is famously known and the Fortunate Island â—upposed by some as Robert of Amesbury doth shew whose Air is more temperate saith Caesar then France whose sâ—yl bringeth 〈◊〉 Grain in abundance â—aith Tacitus whose Seas produce orient Pearl saith Suetonius whose Fields are the seat of a Summer Queen saith Orpheus her wildest parts free from wild beasts saith the ancient Panegyrick and her chief City worthily named Augusta as saith Ammianus So as we may truly say with the royal Psalmist Our lines are fallen in pleasant places yea we have a fair inheritance Which whatsoever by the goodness of God and industry of man it is now yet our English Poet hath truly described unto the first face thereof thus The Land which warlike Britains now possess And therein have their mighty Empires rais'd In ancient times was savage Wilderness Vnpeopled unmanur'd unprov'd unprais'd 6 And albeit the Ocean doth at this present thrust it self between Dover and Callis dividing them with a deep and vast entrenchment so that Britain thereby is of a supposed Penisle made an Island yet divers have stifly held that once it was joyned by an arm of land to the Continent of Gallia To which opinion Spencer farther alluding thus closeth his Stanza Ne was it Island then ne was it paisde Amid the Ocean waves ne was it sought Of Merchants far for profits therein prasde But was all desolate and of some thought By Sea to have been from the Celtick Mainland brought Which as a matter meerly conjectural because it is not plain that there were no Islands nor Hills bofore Noahs floud I leave at large Virgil surely of all Poets the most learned when describing the Shield which Vulcan forged in Virgils brain for Aeneas he calls the Morini people about Calis the outmost men doth only mean that they were Westward the furthest inhabitants upon the Continent signifying that Briâ—ain as being an Island lay out of the World but yet not out of the knowledge of men for the Commodities thereof invited the famous Greek Colonies of Merchants Which dwelt at Marsilia in France to venture hither as hath been well observed out of Strabo 7 And as Iulius Caesar was the first Roman which ever gave an attempt to conquer it so will we close its praises with a late Epigram concerning the outward face of the Isle and the motive of Caesars coming Albionis vertex frondoso crine superbus Arboreas frondes plurimus ales habet Gramineam Montes fundunt pascua pubem Et carpunt circum pascua gramen oves Sed Latii caruit potioribus Insula donis Victori potior Gloria ni Latio Albions high tops her woody locks far shew With Quires of chanting Birds these Woods resounding Her Downs and Meadows clad in verdant hew Meadows and Downs with Flocks and Heards abounding Latium had greater Wealth yet Caesar thought To British Glory Latiums Wealth worth nought 8 The division of Britain concerning the government and territories thereof at such time as Caesar here arrived doth not sufficiently appear Caesar himself makes so sparing mention therein that we have little cause to believe Florus where he makes Livie say that after Caesar had slain an huge multitude of Britaines he subdued the residue of the Isle but rather with exqâ—isite Horace that he did not at all touch them as the word inactus doth in him purport 9 Kings they were and therefore that division which was here in Caesars time was into Kingdoms the old names of whole Nations as also the knowledge of their several abodes hidden under the rubbish of so many ages have of late with infinite labours and exquisite judgment been probably restored and abounded yet that no mans expectation and desire be too much frustrated reason wills that we briefly set forth such divisions of the Land as many repute not ancient only but authentick 10 Our seeming ancient Historians begin it at Brute who to every of his three sons gave a part called presently after by their names as Loegria to Locrine his eldest son Cambria to Camber his second son and Albania to Albanist his third son And doubtless if there had been more Nations of fame in this Island Brute should have had more sons fathered on him which conceit some ascribe to Monmouth's holding that before him it was never so divided 11 Ptolomy naming Britain the Great and the Less hath been by some mistaken as so dividing this Island into two parts But his proportion and distance from the Aequator compared with his Geographical description will evince that he calleth this our Island Great Britain and Ireland Britain the Less 12 Howbeit some later do make indeed the South and more Champion to be called Great Britain and the North more Mountainous Britain the Less whose inhabitants anciently were distinguished into the Majatae and Caledoâ—ii and now by the Scots are into Heilandmen and Lawlandmen But that Northern clime being more piercing for the Roman constitutions and less profitable or fruitful they set their bounds not far from Edenburgh and altogether neglected the other parts more Northward 13 This nearer part of Britain they then divided into two parts for the more Southern tract together with Wales Dio termeth the Higher and that more Northward the Lower as by the seats of their Legions doth appear for the second Legion Augusta which kept at Caerleon in South Wales and the twentieth called Victrix which remained at Chester he placeth in the higher Britain but the sixt Legion sirnamed also Victrix resident at York served as he writeth in the Lower Britain which division as seemeth was made by Severus the Emperour who having vanquished Albinus General of the Britains and reduced their State under his obedience divided the government thereof into two provinces and placed two Prefects over the same 14 After this again the Romans did apportion Britain into three parts whose limits our great Antiquary assigneth by the ancient
since over-shadowed by the height of Beckets Tomb that for glory wealth and superstitious worships equalized the Pyramides of Egypt or the Oracle of Delphos yet now with Dagon is fallen before the Ark of God This City hath been honoured with the presence and Coronations of King Iohn and Queen Isabel his wife with the marriages of King Henry the third and of King Edward the first and with the interments of Edward the Black Prince King Henry the fourth and of Queen Ioan his wife as Feversham is with the burials of King Stephen and of Maud his Queen and wife But as in glory so in adversity hath this City born a part being divers times afflicted by the Danes but most especially in the dayes of Ethelred who in that revenge of their massacre made havock of all and herein slew forty three thousand and two hundred persons the tenth besides reserved to live Afterward it recovered breath and beauty by the liberality of Bishop Lanford Characters and priviledges by King Henry the third strength in Trench and Fortifications from King Richard the second and lastly Walls for her defence by Simon Sudbury Arch-bishop of that See whose Graduation is placed for Latitude 51. 25 and parallelized for Longitude 22. 8 her sister Rochester differing not much in either degree 9 Which City as Beda saith was built by one Rof Lord of the same though some ascribe the foundation of the Castle to Iulius Câ—sar and hath been often ruinated by the injuries of war both in the times when the Saxons strove for superiority among themselves wherein this City was laid waste Anno 680. as also in the assaults of their common enemy the Danes who about the year 884. from France sailed up the River Medway and besieged the same so that had not King Elfred speedily come to the rescue it had been overthrown by those Pagans And again in Anno 999. the Dâ—nes miserably spoiled this City in the time of King Ethelred neither haâ—n it stood safe from danger since though not defaced so much by war for twice hath it been sore endamaged by chance of fire the first was in the Reign of King Henry the first Anno 1130. himself being present with most of his Nobility for the consecration of the Cathedral Church of S. Andrew And again almost wholly consumed about the latter end of the Reign of King Henry the second Anno 1177. Yet after all these calamities it recovered some strength again by the bounty of King Henry the third both in buildings and in ditching her about for defence 10 Civil broyls and dissentions hath this County been burdened with and that not only under the Saxons and Danes whose desolations were many and grievous but also by other rebellions since the Normans Conquest both in those infamous insurrections called The Barons Wars in the reign of King Henry the Third wherein much harm was done as also under King Richard the Second when Wat Tyler Captain of a dreadful commotion assembled at Black-heath Mile-end and in London doing many outrages where in Smithfield he was lastly struck down by William VVallworth then Mayor of the City and worthily slain for his notorious treasons Again upon Black-heath Michael Ioseph the Lord Dawbeney with their Cornish Rebels were overthrown by King Henry the Seventh Anno 1497. 11 Kent in the time of Iulius Caesar was governed by four several Kings Under Vortigern the Britain by a Lieutenant called Guoronge from whom the said King gave it to Hengist the Saxon in favour of his Daughter Howen who seeking to make himself absolute King thereof eight years after his first entrance fought a victorious battel against the Britains near unto Crayford and thenceforth accounted that Province his own Yet afterward Vortimer the valiant Britain gave him battel at Aylesford in the which both Horsa and Catigern brethren to both the Generals were slain and the Saxons driven into the Isle of Thanet their first assigned habitation not daring to enter the Continent so long as Vortimer lived Catigern was interred upon that plain where to this day remaineth his Monument being 4 stones pitched in manner of the Stonehenge and is vulgarly called Citscotehouse The like Monument was of Horsa at Horsted which stormes and time have now devoured Hengist made this Province a Kingdom for himself and successors which name and power it retained the space of three hundred and twenty years when Egbert King of the West-Saxons subdued and joyned it to his own in which subjection it stood untill the time of the Normans Then it was given under the title of an Earldom by the Conquerour unto Otha Bishop of Bayeux his half brother whose successors in that dignity were those most honourable families whose Arms and Names within this plot are blazed and expressed It is divided principally into five Lathes subdivided into 66 hundreds and them again into 398 Parishes and wherein had been seated twenty three Religious Houses SUSSEX SUSSEX CHAPTER IV. SOUTH-SEX a word compounded of the site thereof Southward lieth stretched along the British Seas The North confronts upon Surrey and Kent and the West butteth upon Hampshire 2 For form it lieth long and narrow so that all her Rapes do run quite through the Shire and containeth from Westharting in the West to Kent ditch that divides it from Kent in the East sixty four miles but in the broadest part little above twenty the whole circumference about one hundred fifty eight miles 3 The Air is good though somewhat clouded with mists which arise forth of her South bordering Sea who is very prodigal unto her for Fish and Sea-fowl though as sparing for Harbours or Ships arrivage and those which she hath as uncertain for continuance as dangerous for entrance 4 Rich is the Soil and yieldeth great plenty of all things necessary but very ill for travellers especially in the winter the Land lying low and the ways very deep whose middle tract is garnished with Meadows Pastures and Corn fields the Sea-coast with Hills which are called the Downs abundantly yielding both Grain and Grass and the North side over shadowed with pleasant Groves and thick Woods where sometimes stood the famous wood Andradswald containing no less than an hundred and twenty miles in length and thirty in breadth taking the name of Andexida a City adjoyning both which were won from the Britains by Ella the first Saxon King of this Province and the place made fatal to Sigebert King of the VVest-Saxens who being deposed from his Royal throne was met in this Wood by a Swine-herd and slain in revenge of his Lord whom Sigebert had nurdered 5 The ancient people in the Romans time were the Râ—gni of whom we have spoken and who were subdued by Vespasian the Leader of the second Legion under Aulus Plautius Lieutenant in Britain for Claudius the Emperour But after the departure of the Romans this with Surrey was made the South â—axons Kingâ—ome yet that giving place to the VVest-Saxons as they
in it for the celebration of Divine Service CUMBERLAND CHAPTER XLI CUMBERLAND the furthest North-West Province in this Realm of England confronteth upon the South of Scotland and is divided from that Kingdom partly by the River Kirsop then crossing Eske by a tract thorow Solomâ—-Moss until it come to the Solwaye-Frith by Ptolomy called the Itune-Bay The North-West part is neighboured by Northumberland more East-ward with Westmerland the South with Lancashire and the West is wholly washed with the Irish-Seas 2 The form whereof is long and narrow pointing wedg-like into the South which part is altogether pestred with copped hills and therefore hath the name of Cop-land The middle is more level and better inhabited yielding sufficient for the sustenance of man but the North is wild and solitary cumbred with Hills as Copland is 3 The Air is piercing and of a sharp temperature and would be more biting were it not that those high Hills break off the Northern storms and cold falling Snows 4 Notwithstanding rich is this Province and with great varieties thereof is replenished the Hills though rough yet smile upon their beholders spread with Sheep and Cattel the Vallies stored with Grass and Corn sufficient the Sea affordeth great store of Fish the Land overspread with variety of Fowls and the Rivers feed a kind of Muskle that bringeth forth Pearl where in the mouth of the Irt as they lie gaping and sucking in Dew the Country people gather and sell to the Lapidaries to their own little and the buyers great gain But the Mines Royal of Copper whereof this Country yieldeth much is for use the richest of all the place is at Keswick and Newland where likewise the Black-Lead is gotten whose plenty maketh it of no great esteem otherwise a commodity that could hardly be missed 5 The ancient Inhabitants known to the Romans were the Brigantes whom Ptolomy disperseth into Westmorland Richmond Durham York-shire and Lancashire But when the Saxons had overborn the Britains and forced them out of the best to seek their resting among the vast Mountains these by them were entred into where they held play with their enemies maugre their force and from them as Marianus doth witness the Land was called Cumber of those Kumbri the Britains But when the State of the Saxons was sore shaken by the Danes this Cumberland was accounted a Kingdom of it self for so the Flower-gatherer of Westminster recordeth King Edmund saith he with the help of Leoline Prince of South-Wales wasted all Cumberland and having put out the eyes of the 〈◊〉 soâ—s of Dunmail King of that Province granted that Kingdom unto Malcolm King of Scots whereof their eldest sons became Prefects This Province King Stephen to purchâ—se favour with the Scots what time he stood in most need of aid confirmed by gift under their Crown which Henry the Second notwithstanding made claim unto and got as Nubrigensis writeth and laid it again in the Marches of England since when many bickerings betwixt these Nations herein have hapned but none so bitter against the Scottish-side as was that at Salome Moss where their Nobility disdaining their General Oliver Sinclere gave over the Battel and yielded themselves to the English which dishonour pierced so deeply into to the heart of King Iames the fifth that for grief thereof he shortly after died 6 Many memorable Antiquities remain and have been found in this County for it being the Confines of the Romans Possessions was continually secured by their Garrisons where remains at this day part of that admirable Wall built by Severus also another Fortification from 〈◊〉 to Elâ—â—-Moâ—th upon the Sea-shore toward Ireland by Stillicâ— raised when under 〈◊〉 he suppressed the rage of the Picts and Irish and freed the Seas of the Saxon Pirates Upon Hard-knot hill Moresby Old-Carleil Pap-Castle along the Wall and in many other places their ruines remain with Altars and Iâ—scriptions of their Captains and Colonies whereof many have been found and more as yet lie hid 7 The chiefest City in this Shire is Careile pleasantly seated betwixt the Rivers Eden Petterelâ— and Caud by the Romans called Luguvallum by Beda Luell by Ptolomy Leucopibia by Ninius Caer-Lualid and by us Carlile This City flourishing under the Romans at their departure by the furious outrages of the Scots and Picts was dejected yet in the daies of Egfrid King of Northumberland was walled about but again defaced by the over-running Danes lay buried in her own ashes the space of two hundred years upon whose ruines at length Rufus set his compassionate eye and built there the Castle planting a Colony of Flemings to secure the Coasts from the Scots but upon better advisement removed them into Wales After him Henry his Brother and Successor ordained this City for an Episcopal See whose site is placed in the degree of Longitude from the first West part 17 and 2 scruples and the Pole thence elevated from the degree of Latitude 55 and 56 scruples 8 West from hence at Burgh upon the Sand was the fatal end of our famous Monarch King Edward the First who there leaving his Wars unfinished against Scotland left his troubles and soon missed life to his untimely and soon lamented death 9 And at Salkelds upon the River Eden a Monument of seventy seven Stones each of them ten foot high above ground and one of them at the entrance fifteen as a Trophy of Victory was erected These are by the By-dwellers called Long-Meg and her Daughters 10 This Country as it stood in the Fronts of Assaults so was it strengthened with twenty-five Castles and preserved with the Prayers as then was thought of the Vâ—taries in the Houses erected at Carlilâ— Lâ—ncroft Wether all Holme Daker and Saint Bees These with others were dissolved by King Henry the Eight and their revenues shadowed under his Crown but the Province being freed from the charge of Subsidie is not therefore divided into Hundreds in the Parliament Roles whence we have taken the divisions of the rest only this is observed that therein are seated nine Market-Towns fifty eight Parish-Churches besides many other Chappels of Ease NORTHUMBERLAND NORTHUMBERLAND CHAPTER XLII THE County of Northumberlaâ—d hath on the South the Bishoprick of Durham being shut in with the River Derwent and with Tyne the North is confined upon Scotland the West upon part of Scotland and part of Cumberland the East-side lyeth altogether upon the Sea called Mare Germanicum 2 The form thereof is Triangular and differs not much in the sidings for from her South-East unto the South-West point are near unto 40 miles from thence to her North-point are sixty miles and her base along the Sea-shore 45 miles The whole in circumference is about one hundred forty five miles 3 The Air must needs be subtile and piercing for that the Northernly parts are most exposed to extremity of weathers as great winds hard froâ—ts and long lying of snows c. Yet would it be far more sharp than it is were
Archiepiscopal Seats grounding his conjecture on the saying of Pope Lucius who affirmeth that the Ecclesiastical Iurisdictions of the Christians accorded with the precincts of the Roman Magistrates and that their Archbâ—shops had their Sees in those Cities wherein their Presidents abode so that the ancient Seats of the three Archbâ—shops here being London in the East Câ—erleon in the West and York in the North Londons Diocess as seemeth made Britain prima Caerleon Britain secunda and York Maxima Caesariâ—nsis 15 But in the next age when the power of their Presidents began to grow over great they again divided Britain into five parts adding to the three former Valentia and â—lavia Caesariensis the first of which two seemeth to have been the Northerly part of Maxima Caesariensis recovered from the Picts and Scots by Theodoâ—lus the General under Valence the Emperour and in honour of him named Valeâ—tia and Flavia may be conjectured to receive the name from Flavius the Emperour son of Theâ—dâ—sius for that we read not of the name Britain â—lavia before his time 16 So these five partitions had their limits assigned after this manner Britaine prima contained those coasts that lay betwixt Thamesis the Severne and the British Sea Britaine Secunda extended from Severne unto the Irish Seas containing the Countrey that we now call Wales Flavia Caesariensis was that which lay betwixt the Rivers Humber and Tyne and Valentia from the said River and Picts wall reached unto the Rampire near Edenburgh in Scotland the farthest part that the Romans possessed when this division was in use For the several people inhabiting all those parts with their ancient Names and Borders whether designed by the Romans or the old Britains together with our modern Names and Shires answerable to each of them we will refer you to the Tables thereof elsewhere 17 This whole Province of Britain as in our History shall appear was highly esteemed of the Emperours themselves assuming as a glorious surname Britannicus coming thither in person over those dangerous and scarce known Seas here marrying living and dying enacting here Laws for the whole Empire and giving to those Captains that served here many ensigns of great honour yea Claudius gave Plantius the first Prefect of that Province the right hand as he accompanied him in his Triumph and his own Triumph of Britain was set out with such magnificence that the Provinces brought in golden Crowes of great weight the Governours commanded to attend and the very Captains permitted to be present at the same A Naval Coronet was fixed upon a Pinnacle of his Palace Arches and Trophies were raised in Rome and himself on his aged knees mounted the staires into the Capitol supported by his two sons in Law so great a joy conceived he in himself for the Conquest of some small portion of Britain 18 Now the Romans found it held it and left it as times ripened and rottened their success with the Names the Inhabitants Manners and Resisters I leave to be pursued in the following Histories and will only now shew thee these three Kingdoms that are in present the chief Bodies of Great Britains Monarchy two of which Scotland and Ireland shall in their due places have their farther and more particular Descriptions THE KINGDOME OF ENGLAND ENGLANDS General Description CHAPTER II. THE Saxons glory now near to expire by his appointment who holdeth both times and Kingdoms in his all-ordering hand their own Swords being the Instruments and the Danâ—s the mauls that beat their beautiful Diadem into pieces the Normans a stirring Nation neither expected nor much feared under the leading of William their Duke and encouragement of the Roman Bishop an usual promoter of broken titles made hither suddenly into England who in one only battel with the title of his sword and slaughter of Harold set the imperial Crown thereof upon his own head which no sooner was done but the English went down and the Normans lording it became Owners of those Cities which themselves never built possessed those Vineyards which they never planted drunk of those Wells which they never had digged and inhabited those Houses filled with riches for which they never had laboured for they found it to be as the land whereupon the Lord set his eye even from the beginning to the end of the year not only drinking water of the rain of Heaven but having also rivers of waters and fountains in her valleys and without all scarcitie whose stones are Iron and out of whose mountains is digged brass This made them more resolute at first to settle themselves in this fairest and fruitfullest part of the Island the conquerour using all policy both Martial and Civil to plant his posterity here for ever How he found the Land governed we shewed in the Heptarchy but his restless thoughts were not contented with conquering the Nation and their Land unless he also overcame their very Customes Laws and Language 2 Touching the distribution of the Kingdome whereas other Kings before him made use of it chiefly for the good of the people and better ministring of Iustice he made use of it to know the wealth of his Subjects and to enrich his Coffers for he caused a description to be made of all England â—ow much land every one of his Barons possessed how many Knights fees how many Plow-lands how many in villanage how many heads of beasts yea how much ready money every man from the greatest to the â—ast did possess and what rents might be made of every mans possession the Book of which inquisition yet in the Exchequer was called Doomesday for the generality of that Iudgment on all the Land Whereunto we may add his other distribution of this Land worse than any former when thrusting the English out of their possessions â—e distributed their inheritances to his Souldiers yet so that all should be held of the King as of the only true Lord and possessor 3 For the Laws by which he meant to govern he held one excellent rule and purpose which was that a people ought â—to be ruled by Laws written and certain for otherwise new Iudges would still bring new Iudgments and therefore he caused twelve to be chosen out of every County which should on their oath without inclining one way or other neither adding nor deâ—racting open unto him all their ancient Laws and Customes By whose relation understanding that three sorts of Laws formerly were in the Land Merchelenage West-Saxonlage Dane-lage he had preferred these last himâ—elf and people being anciently derived from those Northern people had not all the Barons bewayling to the King how grievous it was for a Land to be judged by those Laws which they understood not altered his resolute purpose yet in bringing in the strange â—orms of Norman Processe and pleading in the French tongue which continued till Edward the thirds time that grievance was buâ— slendâ—rly prevented So likewise did he much alter the old Courts of Iustice where these Laws shouâ—d
in time to the Normans iâ— became a Province under the Conquerours power who gave to his followers much Land in these parts 6 The place of most account in this Shire is Chichester by the Britains called Câ—ercei a City beautifull and large and very well walled about first built by Cissa the second King of the â—outh Saxons wherein his Royal Palace was kept And when King VVilliam the First had enacted that Bishops Sees should be transâ—â—ted out of small Towns unto places of greater resort the Reâ—idence of the Bishop until then held at Selsey was removed to this City where Bishop Raulfe began a most goodly Cathedral Church but before it was fuâ—ly finished by a sudden mischance of fire was quite consumed Yet the same Bishop with the helping liberality of King Henry the First began it again and saw it wholly finished whose beauty and greatness her fatal enemy still envying again cast down in the dayes of King Richard the First and by her raging flames consumed the buildings both of it and the Bishops Palace adjoyning which Seffrid the second Bishop of that Name re-edified and built anew And now to augment the honour of this place the City hath born the Title of an Earldome whereof they of Arundel were sometimes so styled Whose Graduation for Latitude which is removed from the Aequator unto the degree fifty five minutes and for Longitude observing the same point in the West whence Mercator hath measured are twenty degrees 7 With whom for frequency bigness and building the Town Lewes seemeth to contend where King Athelstane appointed the mintage of his Moneys and VVilliam de VVarron built a strong Castle whereunto the disloyal Barons of King Henry the Third in warlike manner resorted and fought a great Battle against their own Soveraign and his son wherein the King had his Horse flain under him Richard King of the Romans surprised and taken in a Wind-mill and Prince Edward delivered unto them upon equal conditions of peace But a greater Battel was fought at Battle when the hazard of England was tried in one days fight and Harold the King gave place to his Conquerour by losing of his life among sixty seven thousand nine hundred seventy four Englishmen besides whose bloud so spilt gave name to the place in French Sangue lac And the soyl naturally after rain becoming of a reddish colour caused William Newbery untruly to write That if there fall any small sweet showers in the place where so great a slaughter of the English-men was made presently sweateth forth very fresh bloud out of the earth as if the evidence thereof did plainly declare the voice of bloud there shed and cried still from the earth unto the Lord. 8 But places of other note in this Shire are these from Basham Earl Harold taking the Sea for his delight in a small Boat was driven upon the Coast of Normandy where by Duke William he was retained 'till he had sworn to make him King after Edward the Confessors death which oath being broken the Bastard arrived at Pensey and with his sword revenged that Perjury At VVest-VVittering also Ellâ— the Saxon before him had landed for the conquering of those parts and gave name to the shore from Cimen his son But with greater glory doth Gromebridge raise up her head where Charles Duke of Orleance father to Lewes the twelfth King of France taken prisoner at Agincourt was there a long time detained 9 The commodities of this Province are many and divers both in Corn Cattle VVood Iron and Glass which two last as they bring great gain to their possessors so do they impoverish the County of Woods whose want will be found in ages to come if not at this present in some sort felt 10 Great have been the devotions of religious Persons in building and consecrating many houses unto the use and only service of Christ whose Beadmen abusing the intents of their Founders hath caused those Foundations to lament their own ruins For in the tempestuous time of King Henry the Eighth eighteen of them in this County were blown down whose fruit fell into the Laps of some that never meant to restore them again to the like use This County is principally divided into six Rapes every of them containing a River a Castle and Forrest in themselves besides the several Hundreds whereunto they are parted that is the Rape of Chichester into seven of Arundel into five of Bramber into ten of Lewes into thirteen of Pevensey into seventeen and of Hastings into thirteen in all fifty six wherein are seated ten Castles eighteen Market-Towns and three hundred and twelve Parish-Churches SURREY SURREY CHAPTER V. SURREY by Beda called Sutbri lieth seperated upon the North from the counties of Buckingham and Middlesex by the great River Thamisis upon the East Kent doth inbound it upon the South is held in with Sussex and Hamp-shire and her West part is bordered upon by Hamp-shire and Bark-shire 2 The form thereof is somewhat square and lieth by North and by East whereof Redrith and Frensham are the opposites betwixt whom are extended thirty four miles The broadest part is from Awfold Southward to Thamisis by Stanes and them asunder twenty two the whole in circumference is one hundred and twelve miles 3 The heavens breathing Air in this Shire is most sweet and delectable so that for the same cause many Royal Palaces of our Princes are therein seated and the Countrey better stored with game than with grain insomuch that this County is by some men compared unto a home-spun freeze-cloth with a costly fair list for that the out-verge doth exceed the middle it self And yet it is wealthy enough both in Corn and Pasturage especially in Holmesdale and towards the River of Thamisis 4 In this shire the Regni an ancient people mentioned by Ptolomy were seated whom he brancheth further through Sussex and some part of Hamp-shire And in the wane of the Romans Government when the Land was left to the will of invaders the South-Saxons under Ella here erected their Kingdome which with the first was raised and soonest found end From them no doubt the Countrey was named Suth-rey as seated upon the South of the River and now by contraction is called Surâ—ey 5 And albeit the County is barren of Cities or Towns of great estate yet is she stored with many Priâ—cely Houses yea and five of his Majesties so magnificently built that of some she may well say no shire hath none such as is None such indeed And were not Richmond a fatal place of Englands best Princes it might in estem be ranked with the richest For therein died the great Conquerour of France King Edward the Third the beautiful Ann daughter to Charles the Fourth Emperour and intirely beloved wife to King Richard the Second the most wise Prince King Henry the Seventh and the rarest of her Sex the Mirrour of Princes Queen Elizabeth the worlds love and Subjects joy 6 At Mâ—rton likewise
obtained either by or against Rollo the Dane who in the year 876 entred England and in this Shire fought two battles one neer unto Hoâ—k-Norton and a second at the ScienStane 6 Rodâ—ot likewise remaineth as a monument of Oxfords highâ— styled Earl but unfortunate Prince Robert de Vere who besides the â—arldom was created by King Richard the second Mâ—â—quess of Dublin and Duke of Ireland but at that Bridge discomfited in fight by the Nobles and forced to swim the River where began the downfal of his high mounted fortunes for being driven forth of his Country lastly died in exile and distressed estate But more happy is this County in producing far more glorious Princes as King Edward the Confessor who in Islip was born Edward the victorious black Prince in Woodstock and in Oxford that warlike Coeur de Lion King Richard the first the son of King Henry the second first took breath 7 Which City is and long hath been the glorious seat of the Muses the British Athens and learnings well spring from whose living Fountain the wholsome waters of all good literature streaming plenteously have made fruitful all other parts of this Realm and gained glory amongst all Nations abroad Antiquity avoucheth that this place was consecrated unto the sacred Sciences in the time of the Old Britains and that from Greek-lod a Town in Wilt shire the Academy was translated unto Oxford as unto a Plant-plot both more pleasing and fâ—uitful whereto accordeth the ancient Burlaeus and Necham this latter also alledging Merlin But when the beauty of the Land lay under the Saxons prophane feet it sustained a part of these common calamities having little reserved to uphold its former glory save onely the famous monument of S. Frideswids Virgin Conquest no other School then left standing besides her Monastery yet those great blasts together with other Danish storms being well blown over King Elfred that learned and religious Monarch recalled the exiled Muses to their sacred place and built there three goodly Colledges for the studies of Divinity Philosophy and other Arts of humanity sending thither his own son Ethelward and drew thither the young Nobles from all parts of his Kingdom The first Reader thereof was his supposed brother Neote a man of great learning by whose direction King Elfred was altogether guided in this his goodly foundation At which time also Assereus Menevensis a writer of those times affairs read the Grammar and Rhetorick and affirmeth that long before them Gildas Melkin Ninius Kentigern S. German and others spent there their lives in learned studies From which time that it continued a Seedploâ— of learning till the Norman Conquest Ingulphus â—ecordeth who himself then lived No marvel then if Matthew Paris calleth Oxford the second School of Christendom and the very chief Pillar of the Catholick Church And in the Council holden at Vienna it was ordâ—ined that in Paris Oxford â—ononiâ— and Salamanca the onely Vniversities then in Europe should be erected Schools for the Hebrew Greek Arabick and Caldean tongues and that Oxford should be the general universiâ—y for all England Ireland Scotland and Wales which point was likewise of such weight with the Council of Constance that from this pâ—â—cedent of Oxford University it was concluded that the English Nation was not only to have pâ—ecedence oâ— Spain in all General Councils but was also to be held equal with France it self By which high peâ—ogatives this of ours hath always so flourished that in the days of King Henry the third thirty tâ—ousand Students were therein resident as Archbishop Armachanus who then lived hath writ and Riâ—haâ—ger then also living sheweth that for all the civil wars which hindred such placâ—s of quiet study yet 15000 Students were there remaining whose names saith he were entered in Matricula in the matriculation book About which time Iohn Baliol the father of â—aliol King of Scots built a Colledge yet bearing his name Anno 1269 and Walter Merton Bishop of Rochester that which is now called Merton Colledge both of them beautified with buiâ—dings and enriched wâ—th landâ— and were the first endowed Colledges for learning in all Christendom And at this present there are sixteen Colledges besides another newly builded with eight Halls and many most fair Collegiate Churches all aâ—orned with most stately buildings and enriched with great endowments noble Libraries and most learned Graduates of all professions that unless it be her sister Cambridge the other â—ursing breast of this land the like is not found again in the World This City is also honoured with an Episcopal See As for the site thereof it is removed from the Equatâ—r in the degree 52 and one minute and from the West by Mercators measure 19 degrees and 20 minutes â— As this County is happy in the possâ—ssion of so famous an Academy so it is graced with most Princely Palaces apperâ—aining to the English Crown whereof Woodsâ—ock is the most ancient and magnificent built to that glory by King Henry the first and enlarged with a Labyrinth of many windings by King Henry the second to hide from his jealous Iuno his intirely beloved Concubine Rosamond Clifford a Damosel of surpassing beauty where notwithstanding followed by a clew of silk that fell from her lap she was surprised and poâ—soned by Queen Eleanor his wife and was first buried at Godsâ—ow Nunnery in the midst of the quiâ—e under a Hearse of silk set about with lights whom Hugh Bishop of Lincoln thinking it an unfâ—t object for Virgins devotion caused to be removed into the Church â—ard but those chast sisters liked so well the memory of that kind Lady as that her bones they translated again into their Chappel Bensington is another of his Majesties Mannors built by William de la Pole Duke of Suffolk but now in neglect through the annoyance arising from the waters or marishes adjoyning Houses built for devotion and for abuse suppressed and again put down the chief in account were Enishamâ— Osney Bruern Godsâ—ow Burchester and Tame besides S. Frideswides and very many other stately Houses of Religion in this City The Division of this Shire is into fourteen Hundreds wherein are seated ten Market-Towns and two â—undred and fourscore Parish Câ—uâ—ches Glocester Shire GLOCESTER-SHIRE CHAPTER XXIII GLOCESTER-SHIRE lieth bordered upon the North with Worcester and Warwick-shires upon the East with Oxford and Wilt-shires upon the South altogether with Somerset-Shire and upon the West with the River Wye and Hertford shire 2 The length thereof extended from Bristow upon the River Avon in her South unto Clifford upon another Avon in her North are about forty eight miles and her broadest part from East to West is from Lechland unto Preston containing twenty eight the whole circumference about one hundred thirty eight miles 3 The Form whereof is somewhat long and narrow the Air thereof is pleasant sweet and delectable and for fruitfulness of Soyl hear Malmesbury and not me The ground of this Shire throughout saith
he yieldeth plenty of Corn and bringeth forth abundance of Fruits the one through the natural goodness only of the ground the other through the diligent manuring and tillage in such wise that it would provoke the laziest person to take pains Here you may see the High-ways and Common Lanes clad with Apple-trees and Pear-trees not ingraffed by the industry of mens hand but growing naturally of their own accord the ground of it self is so inclined to bear fruits and those both in taste and beauty far exceeding others and will endure until a new supply come There is not any County in England so thick set with Vineyards as this Province is so plentiful of increase and so pleasant in taste The very Wines made thereof carry no unpleasant tartness as being little inferiour in sweet Verdure to the French Wines the houses are innumerable the Churches passing fair and the Towns standing very thick But that which addeth unto all good gifts a special glory is the River Severn than which there is not any in all the Land for Channel broader for Stream swiâ—ter oâ— for Fish better stored There is in it a daily rage and fury of waters which I know not whether I may call a Gulf or Whirl-pool of waters raising up the sands from the bottom winding and dâ—iving them upon heaps sometimes overflowing her banks roveth a great way upon the face of her bordering grounds and again retireth as a Conquerour into the usual Channel Unhappy is the Vessel which it taketh full upon the side but the Watermen will beware thereof when they see that Hydra coming turn the Vessel upon it and cut thorow the midst of it whereby they check and avoid her violence and danger 4 The ancient people that possessed this Province were the DOBUNI who spread themselves â—urther into Oxford-sâ—ire But betwixt the Severn and VVyâ— were seated part of SILURES or Inhabitants of South-VVales And upon what ground I know not let Lawyers dispute it the Inhabitants in some part of this Shire enjoy a private custom to this day that the Goods and Lands of Condemned Persons fall unto the Crown but only for a year and a day and then return to the next heirs contrary to the custom of all England besides 5 The general Commodities of this Shire are Corn Iron and VVols all passing fine besides Pasturage Fruits and VVoods which last are much lessened by making of Iron the only bane of Oke Elm and Beech. 6 These with all other provisions are traded thorow twenty five Market-Towns in this County whereof two are Cities of no small import the first is Glocester from whom the Shire taketh name seated upon Severn near the middest of this Shire by Antoninâ— the Emperour called Glouum built first by the Romans and set as it were upon the neck of the Silures to yoke them where their legion called Colonia Gleuum lay It hath been walled about excepting that part that is defended by the River the ruines thereof in many places appear and some part yet standing doth well witness their strength This City was first won from the Britains by Cheulin the first King of the West-Saxons about the year of Christ 570 and afterwards under the Mercians it flourished with great honour where Offrick King of Northumâ—erland by the sufferance of Ethelred of Mercia founded a most stately Monastery of Nuns whereof Kineburgh Edbergh and Eve Queens of the Mercians were Prioresses successively each after other 7 Edelfled a most renowned Lady â—ister to King Edward the elder in this City built a fair Church wherein her self was interred which being overthrown by the Danes was afterwards rebuilt and made the Cathedral of that See dedicated unto the honour of S. Peter In this Church the unfortunate Prince King Edward the second under a Monument of Alablaster doth lye who being murdered at Barkley Castle by the cruelty of French Isabel his wife was there entombed And not far from him another Prince as unfortunate namely Robert Curthose the eldest son of William the Conquerour lyeth in a painted wooden Tombe in the midst of the Quire whose eyes were pluckt out in Cardiffe Castle wherein he was kept prisoner twenty six years with all contumelious indignities until through extream anguish he ended his life And before any of these in this City say our British Historians the body of Lucius our first Christian King was interred and before his days the Britains Arviragus The graduation of this County I observe from this City whence the Pole is elevated in the degree of Latitude 52 and 14 minutes and in Longitude from the West 18 and 5 minutes 8 The other City is Bristow fair but not very ancient built upon the Rivers Avon and Frome for trade of Merchandize a second London and for beauty and account next unto York This City standeth partly in this County and partly in Sommerset-shire but being a County of it self will acknowledge subjection to neither 9 A City more ancient hath been Circestar by Pâ—olomy called Corinium by Antonine Durocornovium by Giraldus Passerum Vrbem The Sparrows City upon a flying report that Gurmund a Tyrant from Africk besieging this City tyed fire unto the wings of Sparrows who lighting in the Town upon light matter set flame upon all The circuit of whose walls extended two miles about wherein the Consular Port or ways of the Romans met and crossed each other This City was won from the Britains by Cheulin first King of the West Saxons afterwards it was possessed by the Mercians and lastly by the Danes under Gurmâ—nd the former no doubt mistaken for him wherein a rable of them kept the space of a year Anno 879 and never since inhabited according to the circuit of her walls 10 Places of memorable note are these The Island Alney near unto Glocester wherein Edmund Iron-side the English and Canutus the Dane after many battles and bloud fought in single Combat hand to hand alone until they compounded for the Kingdoms partition Barkley Castle where King Edward the second was thorow his fundament run into his bowels with a red burning Spit Tewkesbury the fatal period of King Henry the sixth his government and the wound of the Lancâ—strian Cause for in a battle there fought in Anno 1471 Prince Edward the only son of King Henry had his brains dashed out in a most shameful manner the Queen and his Mother taken prisoners and most of their favourites slain and beheaded And at Alderley a little Town standing eight miles from the Severne upon the Hills to this day are found Cockles Periwincles and Oysters of solid stone which whether they have been Shel-fish and living creatures or else the sports of Nature in her works let the Natural Philosophers dispute of and judge 11 The places of piety set apart from other worldly Services and dedicated to religious uses by the devotions of Princes erected in this Shire were Tewkesbury Deorâ—ust Glocester Minching Burkley Kinswood Circester Winchcombe and Hales
the whole City Leicester was besieged and thrown down by King Henry and the Wall that seemed indissoluble was utterly raced even to the ground The pieces of these Fragments so fallen down remained in his days like to hard Rocks through the strength of the Morter cementing whole lumps together and at the Kings command the City was set on fire and burnt the Castle raced and a heavy imposition laid upon the Citizens who with great sums of money bought their own banishments but were so used in their departure that for extream fear many of them took Sanctuary both at S. Edmunds and S. Albans In repentance of these mischiefs the Author thereof Earl Robert built the Monastery of S. Mary de Pratis wherein himself became a Canon Regular and for fifteen years continuance in sad laments served God in continual prayers With the like devotion Henry the first Duke of Lancaster built an Hospital for an hundred and ten poor people with a Collegiate Church a Dean twelve Canons Prebendaries as many Vicars suffciently provided for with Revenues wherein himself lyeth buried and it was the greatest ornament of that City until the hand of King Henry the eighth lay over-heavy upon all the like foundations and laid their aspiring tops at his own feet The fortunes of another Crouch-back King Richard Usurper who no less remarkable in this City than the former Robert was both of them in like degree of dishonourable course of life though of different issue at their deaths the one dying penitent and of devout esteem the other leaving the stench of Tyranny to all following ages who from this City setting forth in one day with great pompe and in Battle aray to keep the Crown sure upon his own Helmet in a sore fought field yieldeth both it and his life unto the head and hands of Henry of Richmond his Conquerour and the next day was brought back like a Hog naked and torn and with contempt without tears obscurely buried in the Gray Friers of this City whose suppression had suppressed the plot place of his grave and only the stone-chest wherein he was laid a drinking trough now for horses in a common Inn retaineth the memory of that great Monarchs Funeral and so did a stone in the Church and Chappel of S. Maries inclose the Corps of the proud and pontifical cardinal Wolsey who had prepared for himself as was said a far more richer Monument 7 Other places worthy of remembrance in this Shire were these In the West where a high Cross was erected in former times stood the fair City Cleycester the Romans BENONNE where their Legions lay and where their two principal ways crossed each other as the Inhabitants report Loughborow in the North verge was as Marianus affirmeth taken from the Britains by Cuthwolse their King about the year of Christ 572. At Redmore near Bosworth Westward in this County the Kingdom of England lay in hazard of one Battle when King Richards field was fought where the Land at once was free from a Tyrant and wicked Usurper Neither may we pass Lutterworth as the least in account where the famous Iohn Wickliff Englands Morning star dispersed the clouds of all Papistical darkness by preaching the Gospel in that his charge the stile of his pen so piercing in power that the man of Sin ever since hath been better known to the world 8 Religious houses by Princes erected and by them devoted to God and his service the chiefest in this Shire were at Leicester Grace-Dieu Kerby-Bellers and at Burton a Spittle for Lazers a disease then newly approached in this Land for the erection whereof a common contribution was gathered thorow the Realm the patients in this place were not so much deformed in skin as the other were in the defects of the soul whose skirts being turned up to the sight of the world their shames were discovered and those houses dissolved that had long maintained such Idolatrous sins 9 This Shires division is into six Hundreds and in them are seated twelve Market-Towns for commerce and containeth in circuit two hundred Parish-Churches LINCOLNE SHIRE LINCOLN-SHIRE CHAPTER XXXI THe County of Lincoln by the Normans called Nicolshire is confined on the North with Hamber on the East with the German Ocean upon the South is parted from Cambridge and Northampton-shire by the River Nyne and on the West from Nottingham and York-shires by Dun and Trent 2 The length of this Province extendeth from Barton unto Humber in the North unto Stanford upon the River Nyne in the South are miles by our English measure fifty five and the breadth thereof from Newton in the West stretched unto Winthorp upon her East Sea containeth thirty five The whole in circumference about one hundred and eighty miles 3 The Air upon the East and South part is both thick and foggy by reason of the Fens and unsolute grounds but therewithal very moderate and pleasing Her graduation being removed from the Aequator to the degree of 53 and the winds that are â—ent of her still working-Seaâ— to disperse those vapours from all power of hurt 4 The Form of this County doth somewhat resemble the body of a Lute whose East-coasts lye bow-like into the German-Ocean all along pestered with inlets of salt waters and sands which are neither firm nor safe for travellers as those in the South proved unto King Iohn who marching Northward from Northfolk against his disloyal Barons upon those washes lost all his furniture and carriage by the sudden return of the Sea and softness of the Sands 5 Her Soil upon the West and North is abundantly fertile pleasant and rich stored with pasturage arable and meadowing grounds the East and South Fenny and brackish and for Corn barren but for fowl and fiâ—h exceeding any other in the Realm wherein at some times and seasons of the year hath been taken in nets in August at one draught aboue three thousand Mallards and other Fowls of the like kind 6 The Shires commodities consist chiefly in Corn Cattle Fish Fowl Flax and Alablaster as also in a Plaister much esteemed of by the Romans for their works of Imagery and whereof Pliny in his Natural History maketh mention And the Astoriâ—es a precious stoâ—e Star-like pointed with five beams or rays anciently esteemed for their vertue in victories upon the South-west of this County near Bever are found not far thence in our Fathers memory at Harlaxton was ploughed up a brazen vessel wherein was inclosed a golden Helmet of an ancient fashion set with precious stones which was presented to Katherine of Spain Wife and Dowager to King Henry the eighth 7 This Shire triumpheth in the birth of Beauclerk King Henry the first whom Selby brought forth and of King Henry the fourth at Bullingbrooke born but may as justly lament for the death of King Iohn herein poisoned by Simon a Monk of Swynsted Abbey and of Queen Eleanor wife to King Edward the first the mirrour of wedlock and love to
supposed to have been buried might beget much wondeâ— and admiration but that Lazius confirmeth that in ancient times they had custom to preserve light in Sepulâ—hres by an artificial resolving of Gold into a liquid and fatty substance which should continue burning a long time and for many ages together 12 This York-shire Picture I will draw to no more length lest I be condemned with the Sophister for insisting in the praise of Hercules when no man opposed himself in his discommendation This Country of it self is so beautiful in her own natural colours that without much help she presents delightful varieties both to the sight and other senses The Bishipprick oF DURHAM The BISHOPRICK of DURHAM CHAPTER XXXIX THe Bishoprick of Durham containeth those parts and Town-ships that lie betwixt the River Tees and Derwent and all along the German Seas It is neighboured on the North with Northumberland and their Iurisdictions parted by the River Derwent her West is touched by Cumberland Westmorland and from Stain-More divided by the River Tees and by the same water on her South from York-shire even unto the Sea and the East is altogether coasted by the German-Seas 2 The form thereof is triangular and sides not much differing for from her South-East unto the West-point are about thirty miles from thence to her North-east and Tyne-mouth are likewise as many and her base along the Sea shore are twenty-three miles the whole in circumference about one hundred and three miles 3 The Air is sharp and very piercing and would be more were it not that the vapours from the German-Seas did help much to dissolve her Ice and Snow and the store of Coals therein growing and gotten do warm the body and keep back the cold which fewel besides their own use doth yield great commodities unto this Province by trade thereof into other parts 4 For Soil it consisteth much alike of Pastures Arable and barren grounds the East is the richest and most champion the South more moorish but well inhabited her West all rocky without either Grass or Grain notwithstanding recompenceth her possessâ—rs with as great gain both in rearing up Cattel and bringing forth Coal whereof all this County is plentifully stored and groweth so near to the upper face of the earth that in the trod-ways the Cart-wheels do turn up the same Some hold their substance to be a clammy kind of clay hardned with heat abounding in the earth and so becoming concocted is nothing else but Bitumen for proof whereof these Coals have both the like smell and operation of Bitumen for being sprinkled with water they burn more vehemently buâ— with oyl are quite extinguished and put out 5 The ancient Inhabitants known unto Ptolomy were the Brigantes of whom we have spoken in the General of York-shire they being subdued by the Romans after whom the Saxons made it a part of their Northumberland Kingdom at first a Province belonging to the Deirians and enjoyed by Ella their first King afterwards invaded by the Danes and lastly possessed by the Normans whose site being so near unto Scotland hath many times felt their fury and hath been as a Buckler betwixt them and the English for which cause the Inhabitants have certain freedoms and are not charged with service as other Counties are so that this with Westmorland Cumberland and Northumberland are not divided into hundreds in those Parliament Rolls whence I had the rest which want I must leave for others to supply 6 Over this County the Bishops thereof have had the Royalties of Princes and the Inhabitants have pleaded priviledge not to pass in service of War over the River of Tees or Tyne whose charge as they have alledged was to keep and defend the Corps of S. Cuthbert their great adored Saint and therefore they termed themselves The holy work folks And the repute of this Cuthbert and his supposed defence against the Scots was such that our English Kings in great devotion have gone in Pilgrimage to visite his Tomb and have given many large possessions to his Church such were King Egfred Aelfred and Guthrun the Dane Edward and Athelstane Monarch of England and zealous Canuâ—e the greatest of all who came thither bare-footed and at Cuthberts Tomb both augmented and confirmed their Liberties This Saint then of nothing made Durham become great and William the Conquerour of a Bishoprick made it a County Palatine at that time William Cereceph Bishop of the Diocess pulled down the old Church which Aldwin had built and with sumptuous cost laid the foundation of a new wherein S. Cuthberts Shrine in the vacancy of the Bishops was the Keepâ—er of the Castle-Keys In the West of this Church and place called Gallile the Marble-Tomb of venerable Beda remaineth who was born at Iarrâ— in this County and became a Monk at Weremouth whose painful industrie and light of learning in those times of darkness are wonderful as the Volums which he wrote do well declare And had the idle Monks of England imployed their time after his example their Founders expectations had not been frustrate nor those Foundations so easily overturned But the revenge of sin ever following the actions of sins dissolved first the largeness of this Counties liberties under the Raign of King Edward the First and since hath shaken to pieces those places herein erected under the Raign of King Henry â—he Eight such were Durham Sherborne Stayndrop Iarro Weremouth and Egleton all which felt the reward of their idleness and wrath of him that is jealous of his own honour 7 Things of rare note observed in this Shire are three pits of a wonderful depth commonly called the Hell-Kettles which are adjoyning neer unto Darlington whose waters are somewhat warm These are thought to come of an Earth-quake which happened in the year of Grace 1179 whereof the 〈◊〉 of Tiâ—-mouth maketh mention whose record is this On Christmass-day at Oxenhall in the Territory of Darlington within the Bishoprick of Durham the ground heaved up aloft like unto an high Tower and so continued all that day as it were unmoveable until the evening and then fell with so horrible a noise that it made all the neighbour dwellers sore afraid and the earth swallowed it up and made in the same place a deep pit which is there to be seen for a testimony unto this day 8 Of no less admiration are certain Stones lying within the River Were at Butterbee 〈◊〉 Durham from whose sides at the Ebb and low Water in the Summer issueth a certain salt 〈◊〉 water which with the Sun waxeth white and growing into a thick substance becometh a necessary Salt to the use of the by-dwellers 9 And places of elder times had in account by the Romans were Benovium now Biâ—chester and Condercum Chester in the street where their monies have been digged up and at Condercum so much that Egelrick Bishop of Durham was therewith made exceeding rich This County hath been strengthened with seven strong Castles is yet traded
The second part occupied all the Land Northward from Humber to the Orkney-Sea called by the Latines Marâ— Caledonium or Dâ—ucâ—lâ—â—oâ—ium now famously known by the name of Scotland The third part was this lying betwixt the Irish-Seas the Rivers Sâ—verne and Dee and was called Câ—mbria which name doth yet continue with them though we the Eâ—glish call it Wales as the People Welshmen which is strange and strangers for so at this day the dwellers of Tyroll in the higher Germany whence our Saxons are said to have come do name the Italian their next neighbour a Welshman and his language Welsh 2 This opinion Verstegâ—n doth altogether contradict rather judging by the ancient Tâ—utâ—â—ick tongue which the Germans spake and wherein the G is pronounced for W that these Sâ—xoâ—s called them Gallish from the Gaules whence their original proceeded rather than Wallish from strangers which he thinketh could not be considering their habitations so neer unto them and that the like was in use he proveth by the words of Erench Gardian for Wardian Cornugalles for Câ—rwâ—lles yea and Galles for Walles calling our most famous Edward Prince of Galles not Prince of Wâ—lles insomuch that the County of Lombardy bordering along upon the Germans was of them called Gâ—lliâ—ciâ— cis-alphina and at this day Welsh-land So likewise do the Netherlands call the Inhabitants of Henalt and Artois Wallen or Walloâ—s and some part of Brabant and Flanders Welsh-Brabant and Welsh-Flaâ—ders and all because of the Language and Lineage of the Gauls Neither do the meer Natives of Wales know any other name of their Country than Cambria of themselves than Cambri or Cumri or of their Language than Cambraoc But leaving this opinion free to his affection we will proceed 3 Wales therefore being anciently bounded as before the Saxons did afterwards win by force from the Britains all the plain and Champion Country over the River Dee and especially Offa King of Mercia made their limits straighter by making a Ditch of great breadth and depth to be a Mear betwixt this Kingdom and Wales This Ditch is in many places to be seen at this day and bears the name of Clawh Offa that is Offaes Ditch The Country between it and England is commonly called the Marches and is for the most part inhabited by Welshmen especially in North-Wales even to the River Dee This admirable Trench began at Bassiâ—gwerke in Elintshire between Chester and Ruthland and ran along the Hills to the South-Sea a little from Bristow reaching above an hundred miles in length 4 Silvester Giraldus makes the River Wye to be the Mear between England and Wales on the South part called South-Wales whence he ascribeth the breadth of Wales unto Saint Davids in Menâ—viâ— to be an hundred miles and the length from Caerleon upon Vske in Gwentland to Holly-head in Anglesâ—y an hundred miles he might have said thirty more 5 About the year of Christ 870 our Alfred reigning in England Rodericus Magnus King of VVales did divide it into three Talaiths Regions or Territories which were called Kingdoms This Rodericus Magnus gave Venâ—dâ—tia Gwyneth or North-Wales to Anarawd his eldest son to Cadeth his second son Demeâ—ia Debeuâ—arth or South-VValls and to Mervin his third son Powys 6 North-VVales had upon the North-side the Irish-Sea from the River Dee to Bassingwerke to Aberdyvi upon the West and South-West the River Dyvi which divideth it from South-VVales and in some places from Powysland And on the South and East it is divided from Powys sometimes with high Hills and sometimes with Rivers till it come again to the River Dee It is generally full of high Mountains craggy Rocks great Woods and deep Vallies many strait dangerous places deep and swift Rivers 7 This Land was of old time divided into four parts Mon Arvon Meryonith and y Bervedhwlan or the middle Country and each of these were again divided into several Countries and they subdivided into their Cymeden or Commots wherein we follow that division which was in the time of Llewylyn ap Ruffin last Prince of VVales according to a Copy imparted to me by a worshipful Friend and learned Antiquary as seeming far more exact than that of Doctor Powels 8 Aâ—glâ—sey the chiefest is separated from the main Land with the River Moenai wherein at Aberfraw was the Princes Court now a mean Village In this Island is a fair Town called Beaumarish And common passage to Ireland at Caergybi in English Holly-head 9 Arvâ—n the second part of North-VVales is now called Carnarvanshire the strongest Country within that Principality giving place to none for fertility of the ground or for plenty of Wood Cattel Fish and Fowl c. Here are the Towns of Caernarvan in old time called Caer-Segoâ—t and Bangor the Bishops See with divers other ancient Castles and places of memory This portion hath on the North the Sea and Moeâ—ai upon the East and South-East the River Conwey which divideth it from Denâ—igh-shire and on the South-West is separated from Merionyth by Rivers Mountains and Mears 10 Merionyth was the third part of Gwyneth and keepeth the name till this day it is full of Hills and much noted for the resort of People that repair thither to take Herrâ—ngs Upon the North it hath Arvon and Denbigh land upon the South Caerdigan-Shire and upon the East Montgâ—mâ—ry-shire heretofore part of Powis In this County standeth the Town of Harlech and a great Lake called Llyn-Tegyd This Country is likewise full of Cattel Fowl and Fish and hath in it great store of red Deer and Roes but there is much scarcity of Corn. 11 Y Bervedhwland was the fourth part of Gwyneth and may be called in English The middle Country is inclosed with Hills on the East West and South-parts and with the Sea Northward It is plentiful of Cattel Fish and Fowl as also of Corn and is divided in the midst with the River Clwyd to which run a number of other Rivers from the Hills In this part is Dyffryn-Clwyd the fairest Valley within Wales containing eighteen miles in length and seven in breadth In which is the Town and Castle of Ruthlâ—n near unto the Sea and not far thence S. Assaph an Episcopal seat between the Rivers Clwyd and Elwy Herein stands the fair Town and goodly Castle of Denbigh situated upon a Rock the greatest Market-Town of North-Wales and from thence is seen the Town and Castle of Ruthyn fair for prospect and fruitful for fite This part of North-Wales hath the Sea upon the North d ee toward the East Arvon The River Conwey and Mâ—riâ—nyth upon the West and the Country then called Pâ—wys upon the South And these were the Mears and Bounds of the four Parts of Venedâ—tia Gwyneth or North-Wales 12 The second Talaith or Kingdom was Mathraval or Powys To this belonged the Country of Powys and the Land between Wye and Sevâ—rne It hath South-Wales upon the South and West with the Rivers Wye and Tywy and other Mears upon the North
in Ila Bunals and Iona now Columbkill where as Donald Munro who travelled through these Islands reporteth are three Tombs having the several Inscriptions of the Kings of Scotland of Ireland and of Norway 19 Among these Western Islands the Hebrides Skie Mula Ila and Arran are the greatest All of them plentiful of Corn Woods Salmons and Herrings as others of Conies Deer Horses and Sheep where in some they are wild and in others without any owners but the People uncivil and lacking Religion they rather live rudely in state of necessity than as Lords of these portions which God hath allotted them and with a sufferable ease ignorant of ambition enjoy those contentments which some others though they no great sum do more laboriously attain unto by the Precepts of Philosophy for feeding themselves with competency without any excess they return all the over-plus unto their Lords as do the Inhabitants of Hirta and Rona but alas Religion not known among them these penurious vertues are rather the curses of Cham than the followings of Christ who forbids us to be too careful for the morrow 20 The â—sles of Orkenay upon the North of Scotland lying in a most raging and tempesâ—uous Sea are about three and thirty in number whereof thirteen are inhabited and the other replenished with Cattel in these are no venomous Serpents nor other ugly vermin the Air sharp and healthful and the Soil apt to bear only Oats and Barley but not a stick of Wood among these Pomonia is the greatest accounted and called the Main-Land affording six Minerals of lead and Tin and in her chief Town a Bishops See wherein are seated twelve Parish Churches one of them very magnificent for so remote a Country 21 Of all the Romans Iulius Agricola first discovered the Orkenays yea and subdued them if we will believe Tacitus but Pomponius Mela that wrote thirty years before him doth mention them and Iuvenal in Hadrians time after him tells us the Romans had won them and lastly Claudian nameth Saxons that were slain in them and so doth Ninius name Octha and Ebissus Saxou Commanders who in their roving Pinnaces wasted the Orknays These Islands Donald Bane the Usurper of the Scottish Crown gave the King of Norway for his assistance and by the Norwegians were they held the space of an hundred and sixty years until that Alexander the third King of Scotland with Sword and Composition got them from Magnus the Fourth King of Norway which afterward King Haquin confirmed unto King Robert Bruce but lastly Christian the First King of Norway and Denmark utterly renounced all his right to those Islands when he gave his Daughter in Marriage unto King Iames the Third which deed was further ratified by the Pope who openeth the way to the possession of Kingdoms with his own Key 22 More North and further than this Chart could well express lie the Isles of Shetland of some thought to be Thule and by the Commenter upon Horace the Fortunate Island where as Tzeâ—zes fabuleth the Souls of good Men are ferryed into those Elizian Fields that ever grow green and whence Iulius Caesar could hardly be drawn as Muretus had written but their Fictions intended only that the vertuous Souls of the dead passed the uttermost bounds of earthly abode and attained to an ever-pleasing repose and ever-flourishing happiness which whether they borrowed from the description of Paradise taken both for a fair Garden and the Souls happy rest I cannot define but sure they would not have made those Fields always green if they had seen how they lie ever covered with Ice and Snow being in the 63 degree of Latitude as Ptolomy hath placed it where for the most part is a continual Winter but for proof that this was the Thule besides Ptolomies Positure Saxo Grammaticus betwixt Norway and Scotland hath placed it and Solinus two daies sailing from the point of Caledonia and Tacitus saith that the Romans kenned Thule afar off as they sailed about Britain by the Orcades and lastly Mela maketh it to face Berge a City in Norway THE KINGDOME OF IRLAND IRELAND Described CHAPTER I. THe Traditions of time have delivered unto us divers names whereby this famous Island is recorded to have been called yet none of more fair probabiliâ—y than that of Ortheus Aristotle and Claudian by whom it is named Ierna by Iuvenal and Mela called Iuverna by Diodorus Siculus Iris by Martian of Heraclea Ioyepnia by Eustachius Oyernia and Bernia by the native Inhabitants Erin by the Britains Yverdon the Welsh Bards in their Ballads Tirvolas Totidanan and Banno and by the Engâ—ish Ireland But from whence these diversities were derived arise many opinions Doubtless it is that Hibernia Iuverna and Overnia came from Ierna spoken of by Orpheus and Aristotle and the same Ierna as alâ—o Iris Iverdhon and Ireland from Erin the term that the Inhabitants now usâ— From this Erin therefore a word proper to the Nation the original is most likely to be deduced 2 Some derive Hibernia from Hiberno tempore that is from the Winter season some from Hiberus a Spaniard some from a Duke named Irnalph some again from the ancient River Iberus and some from Hiere an Irish word which signifieth the West or a Western Coast whence Erin may also seem to fetchâ—he derivation for it lieth furthest Westward of any Region in ail Europe As also for that the River running in the most remoâ—e West-part of this Island is in Pâ—olomy called Iernus like as the furthest Western Promontory in Spain from whence our Irish-Men came is by Strabo called Ierne and the River next unto it by Mela Ierna yea and Spain it self for the Western situation is called Hesperia the West-Cape of Africk Hesperium and in Germany Westrich and Westphalen from their position have their names Postelius a man that rather followed his own fancy than the judgement of others fetcheth the original of Ireland from the Hebrews as if Iâ—in should be as much as Iurin that is the Iews land which opinion I hold no better than those that would have it from the Winter-like storms although upon every Wind the Air is cold there 3 Festus Avienus in that little Book which he entituled Orae Maritimae calleth Ireland Sacram Insulam that is The holy Island to which opinion the people are soon drawn by reason of the many Saints that the Island is said to produce and the blessed Soil that affords no venomous Creatures to retain Life It is thought that Plutarch meant Ireland by his Ogygia for her great antiquity and of latter times by Isidore and Bede it was called Scotia of those Scots that inhabited it and that thence the name of Scotland together with the Scots themselves came into Britain 4 For largeness and circuit in times past this Island challenged the third place in rank of all the Isles of the then known World for thus have Geographers left us that the Indian Taproban for greatness was the first the Isle
up their sustenance and losing their Castle by deprâ—dation 13 Matter of observation and no less admiration among them is the Giants dance commonly so called and so much talked of which Merlin is said by Art of Magick to have translated out of this Territory unto Salisbury Plain which how true it is I leave to the vain believers of miracles and to the credulous observers of antiquity 14 In this County have been erected many famous Monasteries Abbeys and religious houses consecrated to devout and holy purposes As the Monastery of Saint Maries of Oustmanby founded for preaching Fryers unto which of late daies the Iudicial Courts of thâ— Kingdom have been translated also the magnificent Abbey called S. Thomas Court at Dublin builded and endowed in times past with many large priviledges and revenues of King Henry the second in expiation of the murther of Thomas Arch-bishop of Canterbury Likewise Teniern Monastery or the notable Abbey which William Marshall Earl of Pembrooke founded and called Deâ—voto for that he had vowed to God being â—ossed at Sea with many a sore and dangerous tempest to errect an Abbey wheresoever he came to land and being after shipwrack cast upon land in this place he made performance of his vow accordingly This Province containeth the Counties of Kilkenny Caterlough Queens County Kings County Kildare East-Meath West-Meath Weisford and Dublin â—o say nothing of Wicklâ— and â—ernes which either be already or else are to be annexed unto it and subdivided into fifteen Market-Towns It hath been fortified with the strength of many Castles against the power of enemies and is thus divided Counties East Meath West-Meath Kilkenny Caterlough Queens County Kings County Kildare Weisford Dublin CONNACK Petrus Kaerius caelavit The Province of CONNAUGHT CHAPTER IIII. THis Province named by Giraldus Cambrensis Conachtia and Coâ—acia by the Irish Conaughty and by English-men Connaught is bounded East-ward with part of the County of Leinster North-ward with part of Vlster West-ward with the West-main Ocean and on the South it is confined with a part of the Province of Mounster closed in with the River Shennon and butting against the Kingdom of Spain 2 The form thereof is long and towards the North and South ends thin and narrow but as it grows towards the middle from either part it waxeth still bigger and bigger extending in length from the River Shennon in her South to Enis Kelling in her North 126 miles and the broadest part is from Tromer in her East to Barragh Bay in her West containing about fourscore miles The whole in circuit and compass is above four hundred miles 3 The Air is not altogether so pure and clear as in the other Provinces of Ireland by reason of certain most places covered over with grass which for their softness are usually termed Boghes both dangerous and full of vaporous and foggy mists 4 This County as it is divided into several portions so is every portion severally commended for the soile according to the seasonable times of the year to Twomond or the County Clare is said to be a Country so conveniently situated that either from the Sea or Soil there can be nothing wisht for more than what it doth naturally afford of it self were but the industry of the Inhabitants answerable to the rest Galway is a land very thankful to the painful husbandman and no less commodious and profitable to the Shepherd Maio in the Roman Provincial called Mageo is replenished both with pleasure and fertility abundantly rich in Cattel Deer Hawks and plenty of Honey Slego coasting up the Sea is a plenteous Country for feeding and raising of Cattel Le-Trim a place rising up throughout with hills is so full of rank grass and forrage that as Solinus reporteth if Cattel were not kept sometimes from grazing their fulness would endanger them And Roscomen is a Territory for the most part plain and fruitfull feeding many Herds of Cattle and with mean husbandry and tillage yielding plenty of Corn. As every particular part is thus severally profitabâ—e be in-bred commodities so is it no less commended in the generality for the many accommodate and fit Baies Creeks and navigable Rivers lying upon her Sea-Coasts that after a sort invite and provoke the Inhabitants to Navigation 5 Such as in ancient time made their abode and habitations in this Province were the GANGANI who were also called CONCANI AUTERI and NAGNATAE As the Luceni that were next neighbours unto them came from the Lucensii in Spain so those Gangani and Concani may seem also to have fetcht their derivation from the Concani a Nation of the self-same Country both by the affinity of name and vicinity of place In Strabo according to the diversity of reading the same people are named Coniaci and Conisci and Silius testifieth them at the first to have been Scythians and to have used ordinarily to drink horses bloud a thing nothing strange among the wild Irish even of late days And some may also haply suppose that the Irish name Conaughty was compounded of Concani and Nagnatae Howsoever it is sure that these were the ancient inhabitants of this Country as is to be seen in Ptolomy 6 The Principal City of this Province and which may worthily be accounted the third in Ireland is Galway in Irish Gallive built in manner much like to a Tower It is dignified with a Bishops See and it is much frequented with Merchants by reason whereof and the benefit of the Road and Haven it is gainful to the Inhabitants through traffique and exchange of rich commodities both by Sea and Land Not far from which near the West shoar that lies indented with small in-lets and out-lets in a row are the Islands called Arran of which many a foolish fable goes as if they were the Islands of the living wherein none died at any time or were subject to mortality which is as superstitious an observation as that used in some other corners of the Country where the people leave the right Arms of their Infants males unchristned as they term it to the end that at any time afterwards they might give a more deadly and ungracious blow when they strike which things do not only shew how palpable they are carried away by traditious obscurities but do also intimate how full their hearts be of inveterate revenge 7 This Province presents no matter more worthy of memory than the battel of Knock-â—â—â— that is The hill of Axes under which the greatest rabble of Rebbels that were ever seen before in Ireland raised and gathered together by the Arch-Rebbels of that time William Burk O Brien Mac-Nenare and O Carrol were after a bloudy overthrow discomfited and put to flight by the noble service of Girald Fitz-Girald Earl of Kildare And the suppression of certain Irish the posterity of Mac-William who usurping a tyranny in these parts raged sometimes upon themselves with mutual injuries and oppressed the poor people a long time with extorting pilling and spoiling so as
are Breselare and Neisse 32 Moravia on the East of Bohemia and South of Silesia Her chief Cities are Almusium Olmutz and Brin 33 Pomerania It is bounded on the East with Iâ—tula on the North with the Baltick Ocean Her Metropolis is Stetin Oâ—hers châ—ef are Wolâ—â—st Wallin c. On the West of this Region stands 34 Mecklingburg or Mâ—galopâ—lis a place Provincial of it self and hath Towns of note Malâ—hawe Rostock c. 22 35 Aâ—stria an Arch-Dukedome it lieth upon Hungary and is esteemed by the Germans the Easteâ—n bâ—â—nd of the Empire It was formerly called Pannonia superior It is a rich Country Her chief Cities are Viâ—nna famous for beauty wealth and learning Emps St. Leopald c. There are reckoned to this Region the Provinces of Styria Carinthia Carinola and by some Tirolum BOHEMIA Petrus Kaerius Caelavit The Description of the Kingdome of BOHEMIA IN our Description of Germany we reckoned Bohemia but as a Province among the rest and therefore she was mentioned there with no more solemnity than the other parts were We purpose here to declare it an intire Kingdom of it self which besides her own compass as she is most commonly limited by Geographers hath under-subjects Dukedoms and Marquisates such as do her homage and make her well worthy of a more particular History than we had before room for 2 The ancient Inhabitant of these parts was the Bemorum magna gens as Ptolomy calls it and placeth it somewhat South toward Danubius under Suna sylva After them the Boii a people of Gallia Lugdunensis which had been before conquered by Caesar saith Quadus and packt over the Alpes to seek them a new seat in Italy But when they found the Romans too hot for their abode there they were forced to trudge farther and to pass the River Rhene into Germany as Strabo witnesseth where they found them a fit place to lurk in compassed with a large Wood called the Sylva Hircinia and like enough they joyned in with the Bemi to make up the name of Bohemia But neither here did they enjoy their peace long for they were in time nestled out by a potent people of Swevia called Marcomanni and they again had the like measure from the Sclavonians a barbarous crue which came in upon them under the conduct of an exiled murderer of Croatia one Zechius about the year five hundred and fifty 3 From that time there hath been no general expulsion but the present Bohemians are the progeny of those Sclavonians whose very language and customs are in use among them at this day Doubtless it was at first a rude Common-wealth that had no other Governours but so ungoverned a multitude for so they continued above an hundred years after Zechius But when they had for a time endured the misery of such a confusion they were content to agree upon some one for their Prince that might rule them and the first which they elected was Croâ—us a man of grâ—at esteem among them for his wisdom and goodness 4 Till the time of Vratislaus it had the title of a Dukedome only He was the fiâ—st King and was created by Henry the fourth of Germany Anno one thousand eighty six Yet after that again for the succession of six Princes it was governed by Dukes For the second King was Vladislaus the third crowned by Frederick the Emperour in the year one thâ—usand one hundred fifty nine and the third Primaslaus crowned by the Emperour Phillip one thousand one hundred nienty nine after six other Dukes from his Predecessor Vlaâ—islaus the third It hath been now long since fully setled into a Kingdom and is the title of the right noble Frederick Count Elector Palatine of the Rhene and husband to the illustrious Elizabeth daughter to our late Soveraign King Iames. They were both crowned at Prague in the year one thousand six hundred and nineteen but have been enforced ever since to maintain their right by continual wars against Fâ—rdinand the second who by vertue of an adoption which declared him successor to Matthias laies claim to the Crown of Boâ—â—mia But the â—asâ— was before deâ—ided in their third Vladislaus who though as deeply 〈◊〉 to tâ—e Kingdom as 〈◊〉 coâ—ld be yet for that he had past no lâ—gall â—lâ—ctâ—on accâ—â—ding to â—â—â—ir Custâ—mes and Priviledgâ—s he was deposed by the States and Vladislâ—us chose in his room 5 There remains no great difficulty concerning the naâ—e It appears suffâ—cienâ—ly to proceâ—d either from her first people or first Prince who as some report was one Boemus And it is worth observinâ— that though this Land hath in sundry ages being so oftâ—n ranâ—aâ—kt and poâ—â—st by sâ—rangers and Tyrants yet in her name she constantly preserves the memory only of her fâ—â—st Natives and hath not suffered that change as we have done from Albion to Britain from Britain to Eâ—gland Aâ—d so indeed it is with almost all which have been equally subject to the like Invaâ—â—ons 6 The situation of this Kingdom is almost in the midst of Germany and is easily desâ—ried in ouâ— common Maps by the Hircinian Forest held in the Romans time to be nine dayes journey in breadth and in length at lâ—ast forty So Caeser in his sixth Com. It â—oseth Boâ—emia on every side insomuch that to shâ—w they are not unlike an Aâ—phitâ—eater it is Mâ—ginus his comparison The several parts of thâ—s Wood are known by divers names which they take from the Country adjacent The portion North west is by Sâ—rabo called Gaâ—reta Sylva that South toward Danubius Luâ—a Sylva by Ptolomy non Sâ—lva Passarica and so the rest Without this Wall of Bohemia as Qâ—adus calls it her limits are on the West Franconia on the North Lâ—satia and Misâ—ia on the South â—avaria and Austria on the East â—oravia and Silesia The figure of it is in a manner circular and the Diameter is esteemed three daâ—es journey to a quick traveller The circuit contains five hundred and fifty miles of good ground fertile and pleasant enricht as well by her Rivers as Land commodities 7 Her principal are 1 Albis Elve which hath hâ—s rising in the Hircinian Wood and the name from eleven Fountains which meet in oâ—e at the head of the River For Elve or Elbe in the German Tongue signiâ—ies eleven It runs through a great part of the Country and by the chief City Prague and at last vents it selfe into the German Ocean Of this Lucan thus Fundat ab extremo flavos Aquilene Suevos Albis indomitum Rheni caput 2 Multaria Mulda 3 Egra which gives a name to a Town 4 Sassâ—va 5 Gisera 6 Missa 7 Vatto They are received all into the River Albis yield excellent Salmon and plenty And if we will believe report there is oft times found in the sands lumps of pure gold which need no other refining and very precious shels of great value 8 It seems the water supplies that only defect which is to be found in their Land For it is
Inhabitants there of Spain after the Syrians and indeed the first which affords us any Story worth observing were the Carthaginians and the first cause of their entrance was to defend the Islanders of Cales but when they had once got firm footing and sucked the sweetness they were not to be removed by the easie term of friendship but there kept hold till a people stronger than themselves dispossessed them The attempt was made by Scipio and the Roman forces but they withstood their assault with so resolved a courage and so strong a hand that it might oft times be questioned Vter populus alteri esset pariturus and so held play almost 200 years and could not be fully subdued into the form of a Province till the Reign of Augustus Caesar yet after they were held to it till Honorius 3 About his sixth year was there a second Invasion made by the Vandales and soon after by the Gothes which bare sway for above 300 years The last King was Rodericus who lost both himself and Kingdom for a rape committed upon the Daughter of Iulian a Noble Gentlemen and at that time Embassadour with the Moors in Africa When the Father had understood of his Daughters unworthy injury he brought back his revenge with him 30000 Horse any 180000 Foot of Moors and Sarazens which discomfited the King overthrew all the ressistance which he could make and bespread the Countrey with their Forces where they and their posterity stood firm till within the memory of some which yet live 4 This change of State was before prophesied and concealed in a large Chest within a part of the Palace which both the last King and his Predecessors were forewarned not to discover But the hope of an inestimable treasure made him transgress and when he had entred there appeared nothing but the Portraictures of armed Moors with a presage annexed that when the part of the Palace should be forced open such enemies should ruine Spain It is now at last but one people but yet retains the mixtures of those many Nations which have heretofore possest it Goths Sarazens and Iews who were partly banisht hither by Hadrian the Emperour and partly sent hither by Vlider Vbit the Caliph after the Moors conquest 5 In all this discourse touching the beginning and setling of the State of Spain it appears not from whence she derives her several names of Iberia Hesperia and Hispania It seems they are more ancient than the entrance of the Carthaginians and therefore they allow us no certain Story nor other reason indeed more than likely conjecture and in some scarce that Her first name of Iâ—eria was given by her ancients from a River that runs almost through the middle of the Countrey So saith Maginus and relies upon Pliny and Iustin for his Authors Others give it rather to the Iberi the ancient people of Asia thas came in under Panus from toward Syria and possest it before the Carthaginians Her second name admits as much question Some fetch it from Hesperus the brother of Atlas and their twelfth King from Tubal Others beyond the Moon from the Evening star because it is situate upon the West of Europe The last Hispania is supposed from one Hispanus or Hispalus who reigned in those parts and was the third in the account of some from Tubal or else from Hispalis now Seril rather we may take it from the fore-mentioned Panus Captain of the Iberians by the prefiction of an S. for so the Greeks give it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and since by their own addition and corruption it is made Espania Hispania 6 Her whole compass is reckoned to be 1893 English miles and her bounds are Seas on every side unless on the East towards France from which she is severed by the Pyrenaean Mountains On the West the Atlantick Ocean on the North the Cantabrick and on the South the Fretum Herculeum and other of the Mediterraneum which divide her from Africa Her Rivers of note are specially 1 Minius of Mingo 2 Dorio now Duerus 3 Tagus now Taio famous for her golden sands 4 Botis or Guadilquiver 5 Iberius now Ebro and 6 Ana or Guadiana which in one place glides under ground for fifteen miles together and gives the Spaniard an occasion as he will catch at any to brag that they have ten thousand Cattel daily feeding upon one bridge Yet give them their own sense the truth may be questioned For they have not such plenty of meat as they have of sawce 7 It yields indeed abundance of Oranges Lemmons Capers Dates Sugar Oyl Honey Licorish Horses It hath been heretofore noted for rich Mines insomuch that Hannibal received daily 3000 from one Mine in Spain The number is not answerable in proportion to other Regions of Europe Their Cities not so great nor so many The reason may be because indeed their Women are not so fertile to multiply among themselves and their usage of strangers so uncivil that very few of other Countries seat themselves there as in France England and Germany And yet they have of late times sent many Colonies abroad into both Indies 8 They are extreamly proud and the â—illiest of them pretend to a great portion of wisdom which they would seem to express in a kind of reserved state and silent gravity when perhaps their wit will scarce serve them to speak sense But if once their mouths be got too open they esteem their breath too precious to be spent upon any other subject than their own glorious actions They are most unjust neglecters of other Nations and impudent vain flatterers of themselves Superstitious beyond any other people which indeed commonly attends those which affected to be accounted religious rather than to be so For how can hearty devotion stand with cruelty lechery pride Idolatry and those other Gothish Moorish Iewish Heathenish conditions of which they still savour 9 Yet it hath yielded heretofore men very famous for their excellent endowments both of wit and Religion The Apostle himself expresseth a great desire to see Spain as hoping to do much good among those which had entertained the name of Christ. Osius a learned Bishop in the time of Constantine the Great And Pacianus mentioned by S. Hierome Isidore â—ulgentiuâ— Arius Montanus Tostatus and 〈◊〉 were all Spaniards Sâ—neca Quintilian the Orator Lumen Romanae elâ—quentiae as Valla stiles him Martialis Lucan Silius and Pomponius Mela were Spaniards Trajan the Emperour Theodosius Ferdinand the Catholick and Charles the Emperour were Spaniards To this day it breeds good Souldiers â—low but sure and successful in their Conquests Yet such as prevail more by art than valour Their continual scarcity of victuals inureth them to hunger and other hardness which oft times wearieth out their enemy and makes him yield at least to their patience if not to their strength 10 She hath been subject to many divisions according to the humour of those that have been her Lords The first of note was made by
the Romans in Citeriorem which lay nearest to their Territories and Vlteriorem which was all the extent beyond the River Iberus ad fretum usque Herculeum The second was by them too in Baeticum the whole tract beyond the River Ana South-ward 2 Lusitanium Northward toward the Cantabrick Ocean and 3 Terraconensem Eastward joyning upon France When the Moors enjoyed it they rent it into twelve parcels a multitude of petty royalties Arragon Catalonia Valentia Castile Toledo Biscay Leon Gallicea Murcia Navarre Corduba and Portugal And these yet retain the name of Kingdoms but their government was long ago recovered into the hands of five which bare the titles of Castile Arragon Granada Navarre and Portugal It was of latter times contracted into the three Kingdoms of Arragon Castile and Portugal but is in the power of one King called the Catholick King of Spain We stand to this last division as most proper for our times and best befitting my brief Discourse Give me leave to add the Islands which lie near to each Kingdom 11 The present state of Arragon comprehends three of those Kingdomes as it was scattered by the Moors and Sarazens 1 Arragon it self which lieth on the South of Navarre on the East of Castile on the North of Valentia and the West of Catalonia The ancient Inhabitants were the Iaccetani Lutenses and Celtiberi her chief City Caesar Augusta 2 Catalonia It lieth betwixt Arragon and the Pyrenâ—an hills It is supposed a mixt name from Gothi and Alani people which heretofore possest it after the Vandals had lost their hold The Region is but barren yet it hath in it many Cities the chief Terra cona which gave name to the whole Province called by the Romans Terraconenses 3 Valentia which on the East is touched with the Mediterraneum on the North with Castile on the South with the Kingdom of Murcia It is reported for the most pleasant and fruitful Region in all Spain it hath her name from her chief City and as Maginus relates admits as yet of 22 thousand Families of Moors In this is the University where S. Dominick Father of the Dominicans studied and the old Saguntum besieged by Hannibal now Morvedre 12 The state of Castile as now it stands comprehends all the rest of those scattered Governments as were possest by the Moors Portugal only excepted And first Castile it self both the old which joyns with Arragon on the East of Portugal and the west of Navarre and the new which toucheth her upon the South The first abounds not much with fruits but yet it breeds many Cattel The Metropolis is Burgos and the other chief are Salamanca an University and Valadolit once the seat of the Kings of Spain Now Castile abounds more with Corn is watered with the River Tagus and Ana And in this stands the Kings chief Cities Madrid and Toledo which was heretofore a propriatory of it self The rest that belong to Castile are 2. Toledo however now but a City of new Castile yet in the division her Territories spread themselves over a large compass The City is in the midst of Spain It was the seat of the Gothish Kings and successively of the Moorish Princes now of the Arch-Bishops who exceed in Revenues any other Prelate in the world except the Pope Here hath sate eighteen National Councils in the time of the Gothish Kings 3. 13 Biscay heretofore Cantabria on the North of old Castile toward the Ocean it was the last people which yielded to the Romans and after to the Moors A Mountainous Countrey but affords excellent Timber for ships and good Iron Her Cities are S. Sebastian Fonterabia and Bilbao which stands but two miles from the Sea and is noted for excellent Blades some have been tried by the English upon their own Crests 4. 14 Leon heretofore Austria on the East hath Biscay on the West Gallicia on the North the Cantabrick Ocean and on the South old Castile The Region is reported to yield plenty of Gold Vermilion red Lead and other Colours else she is barren her inhabitants not many and those live most upon Hunting and Fishing It is the title of the eldest Son of Castile as Wales is to our Prince of England Her chief City is Oveido which bears part with her in the name of a Kingdom and indeed was the Title of the first Christian King after the Moors Conquest 15 Gallicia on the East joyns upon Leon on the West it is bounded with the Atlantick Ocean on the North with the Cantabrick and on the South with the River Mingo It breeds Iennets in abundance insomuch that they have been Poetically feigned to be conceived by the wind Niger writes that here hath been an incredible plenty of Gold Lead and Silver that the Rivers are full of a mixt earth and that the Plough could scarce wag for clods of Golden Ore There appears now no such matter The principal Cities are Saint Iago where S. Iames the Apostle lieth buried his Reliques kept worshipped and visited by Pilgrims And the other of note especially with us is Corugna an excellent Port for Ships and mentioned oft in our wars with the Spaniards by the name of the Groyne Here likewise is the Promontory Nerius called by our Mariners Capo de finis terrae 16 Murcia on the North hath new Castile on the South and East the Spanish Seas It is not much peopled but yet is famous for several commodities especially for pure earthen Vessels and fine Silk Heretofore it enriched the Romans with a daily supply of 25000 Drachmae of silver Her chief places are Alicante whence our Alicant Wines come and new Carthage oft commended by our Travellers for her large and safe Haven and lastly Murcia a Town which gives name to the whole Region 17 Navarre lieth close to the Pirenaean Hills and as Maginus gives it is enclosed with Mountains and so it is North and East on the West it hath the River Ebro and on the South Arragon The Vascones are said to have lived here who afterward placed themselves in France and kept there their name to this day of Vascones corruptly Gascoigns The chief Towns are Bampelme the Metropolis and Viana the title of the Navarran Prince Maginus sets the Revenue annual of this Kingdom at 100000 Duckets 18 Corduba now a City only heretofore a Kingdom and included Andaluzia Granada and Estremadura Equalized almost the whole Province which the Romans in their second division called Baetica Andaluzia hath lost but one Letter of her name since she was possest by the Vandales From them she was first called Vandalicia since Andalicia corruptly Andaluzia It lieth on the west of Granada and is a very fertile Countrey In this Region is the chief City Corduba whence we receive our Cordavan Leather The second of note is Sevil the Metropolitan of Andaluzia and the fortunate Islands esteemed the goodliest City in all Spain and though as Corduba it was not honoured with the Title of a Kingdom
by Pearl-fishing Chamdagrir sometimes honoured with the Residence of the Narsingan Kings Prepeti where an annual Feast is celebrated to their Saint Pereimar once sole King of Malabar Golconda peculiar to Musulipatan a little Province subject to the Crown of Narsinga Madura Gingi and Tanajor the Seat of the Naigi or Tributary Roytelets to the King of Narsinga Mâ—liapur called by the Christians St. Thomas from a supposition that this Apostle martyred by the Idolaters was here interred it is said to have had once 330 Temples Cheromandel whence all that Sea-coast which lies on the West-side of the Gulf of Bengala is denominated Negapatan said to be chiefly inhabited by Thomasians Tarnassart once the Royal Seat of a Kingdom so nam'd Casta remarkable for the kind custom of women there who accompanying their dead Husbands into the Grave are buried with them alive Bisnagar ruined by the joynt Forces of four Decan Kings whereupon the Court was removed first to Ponegardo thence after a short time to the City of Narsinga where yet for the most part it remains 12 Oristan whose eminent Towns or Cities are besides that which gives name and credit to the Countrey Catech â— once the Seat of the Kings of this Countrey till vanquished by the Mogul Bacolli peculiar to a little Kingdom so called Angeli Simergan and Senerpase 13 Bofanter containing divers petty Kingdoms as Botia Kacares Conche Gouren Rame Recon Tippura all denominated from their predominating Cities 14 Patanau of which Patane is the mother City the rest are Banaras seated upon the River Ganges frequented by those whose supeâ—stition leads them to bath in that reputed holy stream Siripur and Ciandecan the Seat of two old Princes not yet subdued by the Mogul Sagtagam reckoned of late too 15 Bengala taking name together with a famous Gulf from a City of great Trade seated on the Ganges whose holy waters enrich it also with a concourse of Pilgrims The rest are Gonro anciently the Seat of the Bengalan Kings Caligan a place once of Traffick as seated on the Gulf Taxda till the diversion of the Channel Porto Grande and Porto Pequeno two Towns built by the Portugheses adjoyning to the North of Bengala and therefore accounted part of it the City and Kingdom of Arachan India extra Gangem contains several Territories which are either large Kingdoms of themselves or are divided into divers lesser Kingdoms the first are six namely 1 Brama or Bâ—rma 2 Cauchin-China 3 Camboia 4 Iangoma 5. Siam 6 Pegu. 1 Brama is subdivided into these following lesser Kingdoms viz. Cavilan or Calum Prom Melinta Miranda Bacan Tangu â—va and Brama peculiarly so called all taking â—his appellation from their grand Cities and inhabited by the Brames or Bramines 2 Cauchin-China with its principal City of the same name it is divided into three Provinces each governed by his particular petty King but all under one Head and he tributary to the King of China 3 Camboia with its Capital City of the same name divided also into two inferior Provinces Champa and Camboia properly so called 4 Iangoma or the Countrey of the Laos divided into three Provinces Lavea Curroy and Iangoma strictly so called 5 Siam a Peninsula the same which of old was termed Aurea Câ—ersonesus or the Golden Cherâ—onese and supposed by some to be Solomon's Land of Ophir as the other tract of this part of India was called the Silver Region This Peninsula comprehends within it the Kingdoms of Malaca Patane Ior Muontay and Siam peculiarly so called Malaca denominated from its Emporium or City of greatest Trade belongs to the Portugheses who have also Sincapura and PaloZambilan Patane or as some say Pathane to distinguish it from that Patane already mentioned taking name also from its chief City where by the Queens leave for it hath of late been governed by Queens the English and Hollanders have their several Factories Muantay whose chief City Odia may be well reputed the Metropolis of the whole Kingdom of Siam being the Seat-Royal of the Siamese Kings it is situate like Venice upon several little Islands tack'd together with Bridges in the River Capumo Siam specially so called whose Cities of chiefest note are Socotai remarkable for a Temple 80 spans high all intirely made of metal Quedoa a Town of great Trade for Pepper of which the best sort is there to be had Tavy lying on the Sea-coast and bordering on the Kingdom of Pegu. Lugor near the Isthmus of the Chersonese Calantan peculiar to a petty Kingdom subordinate to the Crown of Siam Pegu divided into several lesser Kingdoms Verma Marin Martavan Orachan and Pegu peculiarly so called all denominated from their prevalent Cities besides which we find not in the three first any of remark but in Orachan there are also mentioned Dianga destroyed by the Portugheses who took it Ann. 1608. In Pegu Cosmi built of Canes of a vast circumference in the midst of a wilderness Coilan a quadrangular City whose four sides are said to consist of four miles a piece Dala chiefly memorable for the Stables of the Kings Elephants Lanagen delightfully seated among Palm-trees Tocabel and Dian both seated upon a River full of habitable Vessels as big as Gallies Meccao a place of retreat for the King by reason of its strong Castle in time of imminent danger but above all the Cities Pegu it self exceeds in strength pleasantness of situation and sumptuousness of building RUSSIA The Description of Russia RUSSIA sirnamed Alba to distinguish it from Russia Nigra a Province of Poland otherwise called also Moscovia from its chief Province is the greatest or rather only Empire of all Europe and one of the greatest of all the World extending from the 43 d to the 66th degree of Northern latitude the longest day in the most Southern parts 16 hours and an half and in the most Northern 22 hours and an half the length in terrestrial measure is reckoned from the Promontory Litamin vulgarly Cape Oby to the Town Czercassy 380 German miles the bredth from Corelenburgh a Town in the Confines of Finland to the River Ob near Lopin 300 German miles each German mile being equivalent to four of ours all under the Dominion of one Prince the Czar or Emperor of Russia otherwise stil'd the Great Duke of Moscovy It is bounded on the North with the frozen Sea on the East with Tartary on the South with part of Livonia a Province now belonging to the Kingdom of Poland and those Cremensian Tartars inhabiting the Southern Shores of Mar del Zabache and the Euxin or Black Sea on the West with certain Mountains and the River Polne which separates it from Livonia and Finland This large Countrey is judged to have been the principal habitation of the ancient Sarmatae or Sauromatae who yet besides what belongs at present to the Great Czar are concluded also to have possest all Borussia Livonia and Lithuania and that part of Moldovia between the Rivers Ister Tyra and Hierasus As to
A DANE A NORMAN England Wales Scotland and Ireland Described 〈◊〉 and Abridged With y e Historie Relation of things worthy memory from a farr larger Voulume Done by Iohn Spied Anno Cum priuilegio 1676 AN EPITOME OF Mr. IOHN SPEED's THEATRE of the EMPIRE OF GREAT BRITAIN And of His PROSPECT Of the Most Famous Parts of the WORLD In this New Edition are added The Descriptions of His Majesties Dominions abroad viz. New England 226 New York Carolina 251 Florida Virginia 212 Maryland Iamaica 232 Barbados 239 AS ALSO The Empire of the Great Mogol 255 with the rest of the East-Indies The Empire of Russia 266 With their respective Descriptions London Printed for Tho. Basset at the George in Fleet-street and Ric. Chiswel at the Rose and Crown in St. Paul's Church-yard 1676. England Scotland and Ireland A Catalogue of all the Shires Citties Bishoprickes Market Townes Castles Parishes Rivers Bridges Chases Forrests and Parkes conteyned in every particuler shire of the Kingdom of England Shires Cities Bishopckes Mark Townes Castles Parish 〈◊〉 Rivers Bridgs Chases Forrests Parkes Kente 02 02 17 08 398 06 14 00 00 23 Sussex 01 01 18 01 312 02 10 00 04 33 Surrie 00 00 06 00 140 01 07 00 0¼ 17 Middlesex 02 02 03 00 073 01 03 01 00 04 Hant-shire 01 01 18 05 248 04 31 00 04 22 Dorcet shire 00 00 18 06 248 04 29 01 02 12 Wilt shire 01 01 21 01 304 05 31 01 09 29 Somerset shire 03 02 29 01 385 09 4â— 00 02 18 Devon shire 01 01 40 03 394 23 106 00 00 23 Corrnuall 00 00 23 00 161 07 31 00 00 09 Essex 01 00 21 01 415 07 28 00 01 46 Hartford shire 00 00 18 00 120 01 24 00 00 23 Oxford-shire 01 01 10 00 208 03 26 00 04 09 Buckinghamsh 00 00 11 00 185 02 14 00 00 15 Berck shire 00 00 11 01 140 03 07 00 0â— 13 Glocester shire 01 01 20 01 280 12 22 01 02 19 Suffolk 00 00 28 01 464 02 32 00 00 27 Norfolk 01 01 26 00 625 03 15 00 00 00 Rutlande 00 00 02 00 047 00 01 00 00 04 Northampton-sh 01 01 11 02 326 05 24 00 03 23 Huntinton-shire 00 00 05 00 078 01 05 00 00 07 Bedford-shire 00 00 10 00 116 01 06 00 00 12 Cambridg-shire 00 01 06 00 163 01 07 00 00 05 Warwick shire 01 01 12 01 15â— 07 21 01 00 16 Lecester shire 00 00 11 02 200 01 10 00 02 13 Stafford-shire 01 00 12 05 130 13 19 01 01 38 Worcester shire 01 01 07 03 152 05 17 01 02 16 Shrop shire 00 00 13 13 170 18 13 00 07 27 Hereford shire 01 01 08 07 176 13 11 01 02 08 Lincolne shire 01 01 26 02 630 09 15 00 00 13 Nottingham sh. 00 00 11 00 168 05 17 00 01 18 Darby shire 00 00 08 04 106 1â— 2â— 00 01 34 Cheshire 01 01 09 03 068 09 19 00 02 18 Yorke-shire 01 01 46 14 563 36 62 04 08 72 Lancasshire 00 00 08 06 036 33 24 00 01 30 Durham 01 01 05 04 062 11 20 00 00 21 Westmoreland 00 00 04 06 026 08 15 00 02 19 Cumberland 01 01 08 15 058 20 33 00 03 08 Northumbrland 00 00 11 â—2 040 21 16 00 01 08 Monmouth 00 00 06 07 14â— 15 14 01 00 08 Glamorgan 00 01 07 â—2 151 16 06 00 00 05 Radnor 00 00 04 05 043 13 05 00 03 00 Brecknok 00 00 03 04 070 27 13 00 00 02 Cardigan 00 00 04 00 077 26 09 00 0â— 00 Carmarthin 00 00 06 04 08â— 20 16 00 0â— 0â— Pembrok 00 01 06 05 142 06 07 00 02 03 Montgomery 00 00 06 03 042 28 06 00 00 00 Merionidth 00 00 03 02 034 26 07 00 00 00 Denbigh 00 00 03 03 05â— 24 06 00 00 06 Flint shire 00 01 03 04 024 04 0â— 00 00 02 Anglesey 00 00 03 00 08â— 08 02 00 00 00 Caernarvon 00 0â— 05 03 073 17 06 00 00 00 * The totall Summe of this Catalogue is           5 â— Shires 25 Cities 26 Bish 645 Market 156 Castles â—725 Pa. Ch 555 Rivers 956 Bridg 93 Chas. 62 For. 783 Parks The General of Great BRITAIN CHAPTER I. THE State of every Kingdome well managed by prudent government seems to me to represent a humane Body guided by the soveraignty of the Reasonable Soul the Countrey and Land it self representing the one the Actions and State-Affairs the other Sith therefore the excellencies of the whole are but imperfectly laid open where either of these Parts is defective our intendment is to take a view as well out of the outward Body and Lineaments of the now flourishing British Monarchy the Islands Kingdomes and Provinces thereof in actual possession for with others no less justly claimed in the continent we meddle not which shall be the continent of our first or Chorographical Tome containing the four first Books of this our Theatre as also of its successive government and vital actions of State which shall be our second or Historical Tome containing the five last Books And here first we will by example of the best Anatomists propose to view the whole Body and Monarchy entire as far as conveniently we could comprise it and after will dissect and lay open the particular Members Veins and Ioynts I mean the Shires Rivâ—â—s Cities and Towns with such things as shall occur most worthy our regard and most behoveful for our use 2 The Islâ—nd of Great Britain which with her adjoyning Isles is here first presented containâ—th the Kingdomes of England and Scotland and is of many accounted the greatest Island in the World though Iustus Lypsius gives that praise to Cuba in America as the Oriental Navigators do unto Sumatra taken for Pâ—olomy's Taproâ—aria or to Madagascar the Island of S. Laurence both which are near unto or under the Equiâ—octial Line in which we will not contend as pleasing our selves with her other praises greater than her Greatness yet with this honour also that it was without question the greatest Island of the Roman World and for any thing yet certainly known of all the rest Concerning whose positure in respect of Heaven Lucretius the first of the Latin Writers that names Britain seemeth to place it in the same Parallel with Pontus where he saith Nam quid Britannum coelum differre putamus c. What differs Britains Heaven from that of Nile Or Pontus welkin from Gades warmer Ile In which by a certain cross comparison he opposeth two likes against two unlikes Britain and Pontus against Egypt and Gades But to seek into profound Antiquity rather than present practice for matters in which Vse makes perfectness were to affect the giving light by shadows rather than by Sun-shine 3 It is by experience found to lie included form the degree fifty and thirty scruples of Latitude and for
not so ancient as it is fair and well seated The beauty of it being such as for the bigness thereof it scarce gives place to any City of England and doth worthily deserve the Saxons name Bright-stad whose pleasantness is the more by reason that the River Avon scowres through the midst of it which together with the benefit of Sewers under all the streets clears the City of all noysome filth and uncleanness It is not wholly seated in this County of Sommerset but one part thereof in Gloucestershire but because it is an entire County of it self it denies subjection unto either having for its own government both a Bishop with a well furnished Colledge and a Mayor with a competent assistance of Aldermen and other Officers for civil affairs 8 This Province hath been the Theater of many Tragical events and bloudy battels the Danes did grievously afflict Porlock by cruel Piracies in the year eight hundred eighty six Yet neer unto Pen a little Village neigbouring upon North Cadbury Edmund sirnamed Iron-side gave them a notable foyle as he was pursuing Canutus from place to place for usurping the Crown of England And Keniwach a West-Saxon in the same place had such a day against the Britains that they ever after stood in awe of the English-Saxons prowess Marianus relateth that not far from Bridge-water as the Danes were stragling abroad Ealstane Bishop of Sherbourne did so soyl their Forces in the year 845 as their minds were much discomfited and their powers utterly disabled Ninius also writeth that King Arthur did so defeat the English-Saxons in a battel at Cadbury that it deserved to be made perpetuously memorable Neither is Mons Badonicus now Banesdown less famous for Arthurs victories And King Elfred in another battel not far from hence gave the Danes such an overthrow as he forced them to submission and induced Godrus their King to become a Christian himself being Godfather to him at the Font. So happy is this Region and so beholding to Nature and Art for her strengths and fortifications as she hath aâ—ways been able to defend her self and offend her enemies 9 Neither hath it been less honoured with beauteous houses consecrated to Religion such was that of Black Ohanons at Barelinch in the first limit of his Shire Westward and King Athelstaâ— built a Monastery in an Island called Muchelney that is to say the great Island which is between the Rivers Iuel and Pedred running together where the defaced wallâ— and runs thereof are yet to be seen King Henry the third also erected a Nunnery at Witham which was afterwards the first house of the Carthusians Monks in England as Hinton not far off was the second But above all other foâ— antiquity glory and beauty was the Abby of Glostenbury whose beginning is fetcht even from Ioseph of Arimathea which Davi Bishop of S. Davids repaired being fallen to ruine and King Inas lastly builded a fair and stately Church in this Monastery though it be now made even with the ground the ruins only shewing how great and magnificent a Seat it hath anciently been which several houses were thus beautified by bounteous Princes for religious purposes and to retire the mind from worldly services though blinded times and guides diverted them to superstitious and lewd abuses 10 Other memorable places are these Camalet a very steep hill hard to be ascended which appears to have been a work of the Romans by divers Coins dig'd up there on the top whereof are seen the lineaments of a large and ancient Castle which the Inhabitants report to have been the Palace of King Arthur Ilchester which at the coming of the Normans was so populous that it had in it an hundred and seven Burgesses and it appears to be of great antiquity by the Roman Caesars Coyns oftentimes found there The Church-yard of Avalenia or Glastonbury where King Arthurs Sepulchre was searcht for by the command of King Henry the second which was found under a stone with an Inscription upon it faftned almost nine foot in the ground Also Duâ—stere where as is reported a great Lady obtained of her husband so much Pasture ground in a Common by the Town side for the good and benefit of the Inhabitants as she was able in a whole day to go about bare-foot This County is divided into 42 Hundreds for the disposing of business needful for the State thereof wherein are placed 33 Market-Towns fit for buying and selling and other affairs of Commerce It is fortified with four Castles and planted with 385 Parishes for concourse of Divine Service WILT SHIRE VVILT-SHIRE CHAPTER XII WILT-SHIRE is enclosed upon the North with Gloucester-Shire upon the East is bounded with Bâ—rk-shire upon the South with Dorset and Hamp-shire and upon the West is confronted against partly by Gloucester and the rest by Somerset-shire 2 The form thereof is both long and broad for from Inglesham upon Thamisis in the North to Burgat Damarum in the South are thirty miles the broadest part is from Buttermer Eastward to the Shire-stones in the West being tweuty nine the whole in Circumference is one hundred thirty nine miles 3 For Air it is feated in a temperate Climate both sweet pleasant and wholesome and for soil saith Iohn of Sarisbury is exceeding fortile and plentiful yea and that with variety 4 The Northern part which they call North-Wilt shire riseth up into delectable hills attired with large Woods and watered with clear Rivers whereof Isis is one which soon becometh the most famous in the Land The South part is more even yielding abundantly Grass and Corn and is made the more fruitful by the Rivers Wily Adder and Avon The midst of this County is most plain and thereby is known and commonly called Salesbnry Plaines and lie so level indeed that it doth limit the Horizon for hardly can a man see from the one side to the other These Plaines grase an infinite number of sheep whose fleeces and flesh bring in a yearly revenue to their owners 5 Anciently this County was possessed by the Belgae who are seated by Ptolomy in Hamp-shire Sommerset shire and in this Tract and they as it seemeth by Caesar were of the Belgae in Gaul These as some hold were subdued by Vespatian Lieutenant of the second Legion under Claudiâ— when the foundation of his future greatness was in these parts first laid by his many Victories over the Britains And herein surely the Romans seated for besides Taâ—esbury Trench by Tradition held to be his in many other Forts in this Shire the Tract of their Footing hath been left and the stamped Coins of their Emperours found and apparent testimony of their abode 6 After them the West-Saxons made it a part of their Kingdom whose border was Avon as witnesseth Athelward though the Marcians many times encroched upon them whereby many great Battles as Malmesbury tells us betwixt them were fought when in the young years of their Heptarchie each sought to enlarge his by the
lessoning of the next but grown unto more ripeness they assigned their limits by a great and long ditch crossing thorow the midst of these Plaines which for the wonder thereof is supposed by the vulgar to be the work of the Devil and is called of all Wansdike undoubtedly of Wooden the Saxons Ancester and great reputed God where a little Village yet standeth and retaineth to name Woodens-burg At this place in Anno 590 Ceaâ—lin the West-Saxon received such a foyl of the Britains and his Countrey-men that he was forced to sorfake his Kingdom and to end his days in exile becoming a pitiful spectacle even unto his own enemies And in this place Ina the West-Saxon joyned Battle with Ceolred the Mercian whence both of them departed with equal loss The like was at Bradford by Kenilwalch and Cuthred at Wilton betwixt Egbert and Beornwolfe at Edindon where King Elfred was vanquisher of the Danes and at wilton where the Danes won the day against him With as bloudy success though not happening by sword was the issue of that Synod assembled at Calne a small town in this County in the year of Christ Iesus 977 where being hotly debating for the single life and against the marriages of the Clergy what wanted by the word to prove their divorce was supplyed by a Stratagem and that very bloody for suddenly the main timber brake and down fell the floor with the Nobles and Prelates the Gentlemen and Commons whereby a great number were hurt and many more slain onely Dunstan the Prefident and mouth for the Monks escaped untouched the Ioist whereon his Chair stood remaining most firm which confirmed the sentence of their separations whom God had conjoyned and became the fall and snare of much incontinency in both sexes 7 The chiefest City of this Shire is Salesbury removed from a higher but a far more convenient place whose want of Water was not so great in the mother as is supplied and replenished in the daughter every street almost having a River running thorow her middest and for sumptuous and delicate buildings is inferiour to none The Cathedral a most rich magnificent Church was begun by Richard Poors Bishop and with fourty years continuance was raised to her perfect beauty wherein are as many windows as there are days in the year as many cast Pillars of Marble as there are hours in the year and as many gates for entrance as there are Months in the year Neither doth this City retain true honour to her self but imparteth hers and receiveth honour from others who are intituled Earls of Salesbury whereof eight Noble Families have been dignified â—ince the Normans Conquest This Cities situation is in degree of Latitude 51 10 minutes and from the first West point observed by Mercator 18 Degrees and 31 Minutes of Longitude 8 Over this old Salesby sheweth it self where Kenrick over came the Britains and where Câ—nutus the Dana did great damage by fire This formerly had been the seat of the Romans as likewise was Lecham as by their Coins digged up is apparent so were Brokenbridge and Cosham the Courts of the Saxon Kings But Fortune long since hath turned her face from all these as lately she did from many ancient and religious foundations planted in this Province whereof Malmesbury was the most famous I will not with Monmouth avouch the foundation thereof unto Malmutius but by true Records from Maidulph a Scot a man of great learning that therein built a Coll and led an Hermits life whereof Beda calleth it the City of Maidulph and we by contraction Malmesbury Adelme his Disciple and Successor built here a fair Monastery which Athelstane the Monarch richly endowed and left his body after death there to rest Neither hath any graced this more than William her Monk in recording to postâ—rities the Chronicles of our Land concerning both the Church and Common-weal wherein himself lived and worte those Histories 9 Ambresbury for repute did second this built by Alfritha King Edgar his wife to expiate the sin of murder which she committed upon young Edward her son in law that hers might be King In this place Queen Elâ—anor widow to King Henry the Third renounced all Royal pomp and devoted her self unto God in the habit of a Nun. Other places erected for piety were at Salesbury Lacock Stanley Wilton Ivichurch Parnleg Bradstoks Briopune and Bromhore These graffs grown to full greatness were cut down by the Pruiner least the cankers thereof should infect the whole body as by them was alledged and their Revenues bestowed upon far better uses both for the bringing up of youth and the Maintenance of estate 10 With eight strong Castles this County hath been guarded in nineteen Market-Towns her commodities are traded into twenty nine Hundreds for business is divided and in them are seated three hundred and four Parish-Churches BARKSHIRE BARK-SHIRE CHAPTER XIII BARK-SHIRE whether of the Box woods there sited according to the censure of Asseriuâ— Menevensis or from a naked and bear less Oak-tree whereunto the people usually resorted in troublesome times to confer for the State I determine not only the County a long time hath been so called and bounded with other in manner as followeth The North part is parted by Thamisis from Buckingham and Oxford Shires the South near Kenneâ— doth tract upon Hamp-shire the East is confined with the County of Surrey and the West with VVilt-shire and Glocester-shire is held in 2 The form of this Shire doth somewhat resemble a Sandall for a mans foot lying long wise from East to West in which part she is broadest the middle most narrow and then spreading wider like to the heel though for her rich endowments and stately magnificence it may be well accounted the heart of the whole 3 The length thereof from Inglesham in the West to old VVindsor in the East extendeth unto forty miles from Ink-pen to VVightham the broadest part from South to North are twenty four the whole in Circumference about one hundred and twenty miles 4 The Air is temperate sweet and delightful and prospect for pleasure inferiour to none the Soyl is plenteous of Corn especially in the Vale of VVhite-horse that yieldeth yearly an admirable encrease In a word for Corn and Cattle Waters and Woods of profit and pleasure it gives place unto none 5 Her ancient inhabitants by Ptolomy and Caesar were the Attrebatii and them of those that descended from Gallia among whom Comiuâ— conquered by the Dictator was of good respect and could do much with the 〈◊〉 who as Frontinus reporteth used this stratagem though it proved nothing at last he flyed before Caesar to recover aid of these Attrebatians light bedded upon a shelf in the Sea whereupon hoysting his â—ailes as before a fore-wind gave shew to his pursuer that they were in swift flight so that hopeless to hail them he gave over the chase yet no sooner had Caesar made over among them but that some of these people by the
Colchester declareth that a Fish in all parts like a man was taken near Oxford and for six months was kept in the Castle whence after he escaped again to the Sea As strange but most true was a crop of Pease that without tillage or sowing grew in the Rocks betwixt this Oxford and Aldebrough in the year 1555 when by unseasonable weather a great dearth was in the Land there in August were gathered above one hundred Quarters and in blossoming remained as many more where never grass grew or earth ever seen but hard solid Rocks three yards deep under their roots 8 Places separated from common use and devoted to God and his service by religious Princes were at S. Edmunds Ipswich Ikleworth Blithborow Clare Ieston Burgh Castle wherein Sigebert King of the East Angles entered the profession of a Monk but was thence forced by his people to fight against the Mercians in which Battle he was slain And Dunwich where Foelix founded his Episcopal See These with many others in this County were suppressed in the fall of the Monasteries and their Revenues assumed by King Henry the Eighth 9 This Shire is principally divided into three parts which are called Celdable S. Edmunds and S. Andreys Liberties subdivided into twenty two Hundreds and them again into 575 Parish-Churches wherein are seated seven Castles and twenty eight Market-Towns NORFOLCKE NORTHFOLK CHAPTER XVII NORTHFOLK is an Island inclining to an oval form closed on the South part with the Rivers of Wavenay and the lesser Ouse which divides it from Suffolk On the East and North with the German Ocean on the West toward Cambridge-shires with some branches of the greater Ouse toward Lincolis-shire with that part of the Neve which passeth from Wisbitch into the Washes It containeth in length from Tarmouth to Wifbitch about fifty miles In breadth from Theâ—ford to Wells about thirty The whole Circuit is about two hundred forty two miles The Name ariseth from the situation of the people who being the Norther-most of the Kingdom of East-Angles are therefore called the Northfolk as the Souther-most Southfolk The Air is sharp and piercing especially the Champion and near the Sea therefore it delayeth the Spring and Harvest the situation of the Countrey inclining thereto as being under the 53 degree of Latitude The Soil diverse about the towns commonly good as Clay Chalk or fat Earth well watered and with some Wood upward to the Heaths naked dry and barren Marsland and Flegge exceeding rich but Marsland properly for Pasture Flegge for Corn. 2 The parts from Thetford to Burneham and thence Westward as also along the Coast be counted Champion the rest as better furnished with Woods Woodland The Champion aboundeth with Corn Sheep and Conies and hesein the barren Heaths as the Providence of our Ancestors hath of old disposed them are very profitable For on them principally lie our Fould courses called of the Saxons whose institution they therefore seem to be Paldyocum that is Liberty of fold or foâ—â—dage These heaths by the compasture of the sheep which we call Tathe are made so rich with Corn that when they fall to be sown they commonly match the fruitfullest grounds in other Countries and laid again do long after yield a sweeter and more plentiful feed for Sheep so that each of them maintain other and are the chiefest wealth of our Countrey The Woodland fitter for grass is maintained chiefly by feeding of Cattel yet well stored with Corn and Sheep The Coast is fortunate in Fish and hath many good harbours whereof Lynn and Tarmouth be the mother-ports and of great traffique Wells and Blackeney next in estimation The whole County aboundeth with Rivers and pleasant Springs of which the Ouse is the chiefest by whose plentiful branches the Isle of Ely the Towns and Shires of Cambridge Huntington and the County of Suffolk vent and receive Commodities The next is Hiâ—rus or Yere passing from Norwich to â—armouth where it receiveth the Bure coming from Aylsham both of them of great service for water carriages but very notable for their plenty of fish for some one man out of an hold upon the Bnrâ— hath drawn up ordinarily once a year between two Nets above five or six score Bushels of Fish at one draught The Waveney and the lesser Ouse are also Navigable and of great use The residue I omit 3 The people were anciently called the ICENI as the also of Suffolk Cambridge-shire and Huntington-shire and supposed to be of them whom Caesar nameth Cenimagni Ptolomy Simeni some Tigeni Their manners were likely to be as the rest of the Britains barbarous at those times as appeareth by Caesar and Tacitus Neither can I otherwise commend their successors the Saxons for so also their own Countreyman Ethelward termeth them Since the entry of the Normans they have been counted civil and ingenious apt to good Letters adorning Religion with more Churches and Monasteries than any Shire of England and the Laws and Seats of Iustice for many ages with some excellent men from whom most of our chief Families and some of the greatest Nobility of the Kingdom have taken advancement And herein is Northfolk fortunate that as Crete boasted of an hundred Cities so may she of an hundred Families of Gentlemen never yet attainted of high Treason How the Government of this County was about Caesars time is uncertain but agreeable no doubt to the rest of the Britains under some peculiar Toparch or Regulus as Tacitus termeth him The latter Romans held it by two Garrisons one at Gariannum neer â—armouth the other at Branodunum now called Brancastre both of horse and commanded by the Comes Maritimi Tractus as Mercellinus calleth him and termed after Comes Littoris Saxonici Upon the entry of the Saxons this County with Suffolk fell in the portion of the Angles and about the year five hundred sixty one were together erected into a Kingdom by Vffa of whom the succeeding Kings were tituled Vffines But having suffered many Tempests of Fortune it was in the year 870 utterly wasted and extinct by Hungar and Hubba the Danes who overthrew the vertuous King Edmund about Thetford and after martyred him at S. Edmundsbury Yet they did not long enjoy it for King Edward shortly recovered it from them and annexed it to his other Kingdoms The Daâ—es notwithstanding inhabited abundantly in these parts so that many of our Towns were sounded by them aâ—d a great part of our people and Gentry are risen out of their bloud 4 This Kingdom of East-Angles was after allotted to an Earldom of that name by William the Conqueroâ—r who made Radulph a Britain marrying his Kinswoman Earl thereof but gave the greatest parts of this County about Wimonham Keninghall Lenn Burnham Fulmerstone c. to W. de Albany Pincerne and W. de Warranna Forrestario who to strengthen themselves according to the use of that time with the homage and service of many Tenants divided large portions of the same amongst their friends and
English miles and from Turny in the West unto Hartly Coking in the East are not fully fourteen the whole Circumference about seventy three miles 3 The Air is temperate and the Soil bounteous especially in the North whose Borders the fruitful Ouse with her many windings watereth The South is more lean and with greater industry bringeth forth Barley no better elsewhere Generally this County is Champion though some places be sprinkled with Pasturage and Woods 4 The ancient Inhabitants known to the Romans that held in this Shire were part of the Cattieuchlani a Stout and war-stiring people and yet upon the report of Caesars proceeding sent him their subjection for peace But when that conquering Nation had brought Britain into a Prâ—vince under Rome their Legions lay at Selenae and Magintum which are now Sandy and Dunstable places of memorable note in this Shire After them the Saxons coveting for so fair a Seat first dispossessed the Britains under the leading of Cuthwulfâ— the West-Saxon about the year of Grace 572 who making it their own was lastly enjoyed by the Mercians as a part of their Kingdom 5 In the year of Christs Incarnation 1399 immediately before those Civil Wars that rent in pieces the peace of this Land between the Princes of Lancaster and York the River Ouse near unto Harwood stood suddenly still and refrained to pass any further so that forward men passed three miles together on foot in the very depth of her Channel and backward the waters swelled unto a great height which was observed by the judicious to foretel some unkind diuision that shortly should arise 6 This County among the common calamities of the Land when it lay trampled under the feet of the Danes sustained a part and after that in the time of King Stephen when the Civil Wars thundred betwixt Maud the Empress and himself the Shire-Town was sore wasted with great slaughter of men So when the Barons forsook their allegiance to King Iohn the Town and Castle were rendred up into their hands And lastly by King Henry the third laid level even with the ground some ruinous walls appearing towards the Ouse but not a stone left upon the Mount where stood his foundation 7 This Town by the Britains was called Lettidur and of us Bedford being the chiefest in the County from whom it taketh the name and is most fruitful and pleasantly seated having the Ouse running thorow the Town in the middest and a fair Stone bridge built over the same whereon are two Gates to lock and impeach the passage as occasion shall 〈◊〉 At the first entrance standeth S. Leonards Hospital for Lazars and further towards S. Iohns and S. Maries Churches within the Town S. Pauls a most beautiful Church S. Cuthberts and S. Peters without the Town standeth the Friers S. Loyes Alhallows and Caâ—dwell Abbey not far whence sometimes stood a Chappel upon the Bank of Ouse wherein as Florilegus affirmeth the body of Offa the great Mercian King was interred but by the over-swelling of that River was born down and swallowed up whose Tombe of Lead as it were some phantastical thing appeared often to them that seek it not but to them that seek it saith Rosse it is invisible This Town is governed yearly by a Mayor two Bayliffs two Chamberlains a Recorder a Town-Clerk and three Sergeants with Maces 8 A tale of vain credit is reported of Dunstable that it was built to bridle the outragiousness of a â—heef named Dun by King Henry the first but certain it is the place was formerly held by the Romans whose Legions there lay as appeareth by the Coyns there usually found which from Magintum are corruptly called Madning-money 6 Castles in this Shire are Woodhill Eaton Temsford and Amphill an honour now appertaining to the Crown And places of Religion built by devout persons but for Idolatrous Abuses again abolished were at Bedford Harwood Helenstow Newenham Chicksand Wardon Woborne and Dunstable All these with the like felt the hand of Henry the eighth to lie so heavy upon them that they were not able to sustain the weight but were crushed to pieces and fell to the ground 10 The Graduation of this County taken for the Shire-Town is placed from the Equator in the degree of 52 and 30 minutes for Latitude and is removed from the first West point of Longitude 20 degrees and 16 minutes 11 Whos 's Princely Families that have born the Titles both of Dukes and Earls are expressed and whose Counties division are into nine hundreds wherein are seated ten Market-Towns and one hundred and sixteen Parish-Churches BUCKINGHAM SHIRE BUCKINGHAM-SHIRE CHAPTER XXI BUCKINGHAM for the plenty of Beech-trees there growing and those in the elder time of the Saxons called Buckâ—n may well be supposed from them to have the name as afterward the whole Shire had hers from this Town Buckingham 2 In form it somewhat resembleth a Lyon Rampant whose head or North-point toucheth the Counties of Northampton and Bedford whose back or East part is backed by Bedford and Hertford-Shires his loines or South-borders rest upon Bark-shire and his breast thâ— West side is butted upon wholly by Oxford-shirâ— The length thereof from Waisbury in the South to Braidfield in her North are thirty nine miles the breadth at the broadest from Ashbridge in the East to Brenwood Horrest in the West are eighteen the whole in Circumference one hundred thirty eight miles 3 The Air is passing good temperate and pleasant yielding the body health and the mind content The soil is rich fat and fruitful giving abundance of Corn Grass and Meat It is chiefly divided into two parts by the Chiltren hills which run thorow this Shire in the middest and before time were so pestered with Beech that they were altogether unpassable and became a receptacle and refuge for Theeves who daily endammaged the way-faring man for which cause Laestan Abbot of S. Albans caused them to be cut down since when those parts are passable without any great incombrances of trees from whose tops a large and most pleasant prospect is seen The Vale beneath is plain and champion a clayie soil stiff and rough but withall maruellous fruitful naked of woods but abounding in meadows pastures and tillage and maintaining an infinite number of sheep whose soft and fine fleeces are in great esteem with the Turks as far as Asia 4 The ancient Inhabitants â—hat were seated in this Shire were the Catteuchlani mentioned by Ptolomy and them dispersed thorow the Tract of Bedford Hertford and this These yielded themselves with the first to Caesar under the Romans subjection whose over-worn Empire ending in Britain the Saxons by strong hand attained this Province and made it a part of their Mercian Kingdom yet was it first subdued unto them by Cherdike the West-Saxon whose memory is iâ—part continued in the Toâ—n Chersey upon the West of this Country where in a sharp and bloudy battle he was Victor over the Britains So also Cuthwulâ—e a West
sâ—ored with Votaries and revenues for life were in this Shire no less than fourteen most stately seated in the places as followeth at both the Herefords Barroâ— Ewayot Câ—â—fford Mâ—nemue Acornbury Lemster Linbroke Peterchurch Kilpeck Dâ—râ— and VViggermore and suspected of hypocrisie were called in question by King Henry the Eighth and so strictly pursued that some faulâ—s were apparent whereby they were laid open to the general Deluge of the Time whose streams bare down the walls of all those Foundations carrying away the Shrines of the dead and defacing the Libraries of their ancient Records 9 This County before the Conquest being accounted in VVales was then strengthened with Forts against the English and being once made a Proâ—ince to England was fortified with Castles against the VVelsh wherein we find no less than twenty eight though many of them now are ruinated to nothing Such were Alban at both the Ewyats Godridg Grosmond Herdly Hereford Old Castle Dorston Brampton Bredwarden Saint Brivels Ledbury Lenals Snowdâ—â— Harlewois Huntington VVilion VVigmore Richards Monemue Corâ—t Kilbeck Clifford Skensfred VVâ—teney Radenwer and Kâ—nevenleis and is traded with eight Market-Towns being diuided into eleven Hundreds and in them seated one hundred seventy and six Parish-Churches containing in compass an hundred and two miles Worcestershir VVORCESTER-SHIRE CHAPTER XXV WORCESTER-SHIRE is a County both rich and populous and lyeth circulated upon the North with Staffordâ—shire upon the East with Warwick and Oxford-shires upon the South with â—locesterâ—shire and the West by Malverne Hills is parted from Herefordâ—shire the rest lyeth confronted upon and in part divided from Shrop-shire by the River Dowles 2 The form thereof is triangle but not of equal proportion for from North to South are thirty two miles from South to North-West twenty two and from thence to her North-East point are twenty eight the whole in circumference is one hundred and twenty miles 3 The Air of this Shire is of a favourable temperature that gives an appetite for labour diet and rest The Soyl is fertile and to me seemed inferiour to none other in this Land for besides the abundance of Corn in every place spread the Woods and Pasturage in her hills and Plains sweet Rivers that water the Vallies below the Cattle that cover the tops of higher ground the Fields Hedge-rows and High-ways are beset with fruitful Peaâ—-trees that yield great pleasure to sight and commodious use for with their juyce they make a bastard kind of Wine called Perry which is both pleasant and good in taste Many Salt Springs also this County affordeth yea and more than are commonly in use such with the Germans our ancient Predecessors were esteemed most sacred and holy so that as Tacitus writeth to such they wontedly resorted to sâ—pplicate their Gods with their devout praâ—ers as to places neerest the Heavens and therefore the sooner to be heard And Poets in their feignings will have the Nymphs residence in shady green groves and banks of sweet Springs if so then as Helicon this County affords both such are the Forrests of Wire and Feckeâ—â—am the great Woods of Norton and most fair Chase of Malvern And for waters to witness what I say is the Severn that cuts this Shire in the midst Teme Salwarp and Avon all of them making fruitâ—ul their passage and stored with Fish of most delicious taste 4 The ancient people possâ—ssors of this Shire were the CORNAVII inhabitants of Cheâ—shire Shrop-shire Stafford and Warwick-shires subdued by the Romans in Claudius Caesars time and after their departure made a portion of the Merciâ—nâ—Saxons Kingdom and in Beda's time were called the VVicii whereof it may be this Shire had the name unless you will have it from the Salt-Pits which in old English are named Witches or from the famous Forrest of Wyre Howsoever true it is that the County doth hold the name from the Chief City VVorcester 5 Which is most pleasantly seated passing well frequented and very richly inhabited This was the Branonium mentioned by Antonine and Ptolomy called by the Britains Câ—er-VVrangon by Ninius Câ—er-Guorcon and by the Latines Vigornia This City is seated upon the East bank of Severâ—e and from the same is walled in triangle-wise about extending in circuit one thousand six hundred and fifty paces thorow which seven Gates enter with five other Watch-Towers for defence It is thought the Roâ—ans built this to restrain the Britains that held all beyond Sâ—verne This City by Hardy Canute in the year of Christ 1041 was soâ—ely endangered and set on â—â—re and the Citizens slain almost every one for that they had killed his Collector of the Danish Tribute yet it way presently repaired and peopled with many Burgesses and for fifteen Hides discharged it self to the Conquerour as in his Doomesdays is to be seen But in the year 1113 a sudden fire happened no man knew how which burnt the Castle and Cathedral Church Likewise in the civil â—royles of King Sâ—ephen it was twice lighted into a flame and the latter laid it hopeless of recovery Notwithstanding from those dead Ashes a new Phenix arose and her building raised in a more stately proportion especially the Cathedral dedicated to S. Mary first laid by Bishop Sexwolfe in Anno 680 â—ince when it hath been augmented almost to the River In the midst of whose Quiâ—e from his many turmoiles resteth the body of King Ioâ—n the great withstandeâ— of the Popes proceedings under a monument of white Marble in Princely Vestures with his portraiture thereon according to life And in the South-â—ide of the same Quire lyeth entombed Prince Aâ—thur the eldest Son to King Henry the seventh his Monument is all black Iett without remembrance of him by Picture This City is governed by two Bayliffs two Aldermen two Chamberlains and two Constables yearly elected out oâ— twenty four Burgesses clothed in Scarlet assisted with forty eight other Citizenâ— whom they call their Common Councellâ—rs clad in Purple a Recorder Town-Clerk and five Sergeants with Mace their Attendants Whose Geographical Position is distant in Longitude from the West Meridian 18 degrees 10 scruples â—aving the North-Pole elevated in Latitude 52 degrees and 32 scruples 6 Places of further note for memorable antiquity is Vpton of great account in the Roman time where some of their Legions kept as witness their Moneys there often found the admirable Ditch upon Malvern Hâ—lls drawn by Gilbert Clare Earl of Glocester to divide his Lands from the Church of Worcester the Saxons or Augustines Oke where he the English Apostle met with the British Bishops for the uniform celebration of Easter from whence both parts departed with discontented minds after many hot words and thwaâ—ting disputes 7 Neither is it wiâ—hout admâ—ration to me that many places of this Shire lye far within the Precincts of other Provinces as Aulston Washborâ—es Cuttesden Paxford Hanging-Easton Northwickâ— Blockley Eurlode in Glocester-shire and Goldcote Aldermeâ—ston Newâ—old Steddenton Armiscote Blackwell Darlings-cote Shipton Tydminâ—on Olbarrow in Warwick
down when also the Town it self suffered the calamity of fire but recovered to her former estate hath since increased in beauty and wealth and at this day is governed by a Mayor and six Aldermen clad in Scarlet two Sheriffs two Chamberlains a Town-Clark and six Sergeants with Maces their attenders whose position hath the Pole elevated fifty three degrees 25 minutes in Latitude and hath the Meridian nine degrees and 25 minutes This Town hath been honoured by these Princes Titles and these Princes dignified with the Earldom of Nottingham whose several Arms and Names are in the great Map expressed Religious houses that have been erected and now suppressed in the compass of this County chiefly were Newsted Lenton Shelford Southwell Thurgarton Blith Welbeck and Radford in Nottingham the White and Gray Friers besides a little Chappel dedicated to S. Iohn All which shew the devotions of those former times which their remembrance may move if not condemn us that have more knowledg but far less piety The Shires division is principally into two which the Inhabitants term the Sand and the Clay but for Tax to the Crown or service for State is parted into eight Wapentakes or Hundreds wherein are seated 168 Parishes Churches DARBY SHIRE DARBY-SHIRE CHAPTER XXXIII DARBY-SHIRE lieth inclosed upon her North parts with York-shire upon the East with Nottingham-shire upon the South of Leicester-shire and upon the West is parted with the Rivers Dove and Goyt from Stafford and Chess-shires 2 It is in Form somewhat triangle though not of any equal distance growing from her narrow South-point still wider and in the North is at the broadest For from Stretton near the head of Mese to New-Chappel seated near the head of Derwent the two extreams from North to South are thirty eight miles but from the Shire-Oaks unto the meeting of Mersey and Goyt the broadest part of all this Shire is not full twenty nine the whole in circumference exâ—endeth to an hundred and thirty miles 3 The Air is good and very healthful the Soil is rich especially in her South and East parts but in the North and West is hilly with a black and mossie ground both of them fast handed to the Ploughers pains though very liberal in her other gifts whose natures thus dissenting the River Derwent doth divide asunder that taketh course thorow the heart or the midst of this County 4 The Ancient People that possessed these parts in the times of the Roman assaults were the Coritani whom Ptolomy dispersed thorow Northampton-shire Leicester Rutland Lincoln Nottingham and this Shire who were all of them subdued by P. Ostorius Scapula Lieutenant in this Province for Claudius the Emperour But Romes Empire falling in Britain by the intestine Wars among themselves the Saxons a more savege and fearful Nation soon brought it under their subjection and made this a Province unto their Mercians Kingdome whom the West-Saxons first wan and again lost to the Normans 5 It is stored with many commodities and them of much worth for besides woods and Cattle Sheep and Corn every where over spreading the face of this County the Mill-stone Crystal and Alablaster the Mines of Pit-coal Iron and Lead are of great price whereof the last is mentioned in Pliny who writeth that in Britaine in the very crust of the Ground without any deep digging is gotten so great store of Lead and there is a Law expresly made of purpose forbiding men to make more than to a certain stint whose stores are plenteâ—usly gotten in thoâ—e Mountains and melted into Sowes to no small profit of the Country There is found also in certain veins of the earth Stibium which the Apothecaries call Antimonium and the Alchymists hold in great esteem 6 Places of Commerce or memorable note the first is Darby the Shire-Town called by the Danes Deoraby seated upon the West-bank of Derwent where also a small Brook rising Westward runneth thorow the Town under nine Bridges before it meets with her far greater River Derwent which presently it doth after she hath passed Tenant-Bridge in the South-East of the Town But a Bridge of more beauty built all of Free-stone is passed over Derwent in the North-East of the Towâ— whereon standeth a fair stone Chappel both of them bearing the names of S. Maries five other Churches are in this Town the chief whereof is called Alhâ—llows whose Steeple or Bell-Tower being both beautiful and high was built only at the charges of young Men and Maids as is witnessed by the inscription cut in the same upon every square of the Steeple Among the miserable desolations of the Danes this Town bare a part but by the Lady Ethelfleda was again repaired and is at this day incorporated with the yearly government of two Bailiffs elect out of twenty four Brethren besides as many Burges of Common-Councel a Recorder Town-Clerk and two Sergeants with Mace whose Graduation is observed from the Aequator to be 53 degrees 25 scruples and from the first point in the West 19 degrees 2 scruples 7 Little-Chester by the Romish Money there daily seemeth to have been ancient and that a Colony of of the Roman Souldiers there lay Yet of far greater Fame was Râ—pandunum now Repâ—on where Ethelbald the ninth King of the Merciaâ—s and fifteenth Monarch of the Englishmen slain at Seggâ—swald by the treason of his Subjects was interred and whence Burtâ—red the last King of that Peopâ—e was expâ—lsed with his Queen Ethelswith by the rage of the Danes after twenty two years Reign But with a more pleasing eye we may behold Melborn the Memorial of Englishmens great valour where in that Castle was kept prisoner Iohn Duke of Burbon taken Captive in the Battle of Agincourt and therein detained the space of nineteen years 8 Thingâ— of stranger note are the hot Water-springs bursting forth of the ground at Buxton where out of the Rock within the compass of eight yards nine Springs arise eight of them warm but the ninth very cold These run from under a fair square building of Free-stone and about threescore paces off received another hot Spring from a Well inclosed with four flat Stones called Saint Anns near unto which another very cold Spring bubled up The report goeth among the by-dwellers that great cureâ— by these waters have been done but daily experience sheweth that they are good for the Stomack and Sinews and very pleasant to bathe the body in Not far thence is Eldâ—n hole whereof strange things have been told and this is confidently affirmed the waters that trickle from the top of that Cave which indeed is very spacious but of low and narrow entrance do congeal into stone and hang as isâ—ckles in the Roof some of them were shewed at my being there which like unto such as the Frost congealeth were hollow within and grew Taper-wise towards their points very white and somewhat Chrystal-like And seven miles thence upon a mounted-hill standeth a Castle under which there is a Hole or Cave in the
Morda in the West twenty and five miles the whole in circuit about extending to one hundred thirty four miles 3 Wholesome is the Air delectable and good yielding the Spring and the Autumn Seed-time and Harvest in a temperate condition and affordeth health to the Inhabitants in all seasons of the year 4 The Soil is rich and standeth most upon a reddish Clay abounding in Wheat and Barley Pit-coals Iron and Woods which two last continue not long in league together It hath Rivers that make fruitful the Land and in their Waters contain great store of fresh-fish whereof Severn is the chief and second in the Realm whose stream cutteth this County in the midst and with many winding sporteth her self forward leaving both Pastures and Meadows bedecked with flowers and green colours which every where she bestoweth upon such her attendants 5 This River was once the bounds of the North-Britains and divided their possession from the Land of the Saxons until of latter times their began to decay and the Welsh to increase who enlarged their lists to the River Dee So formerly had it separated the Ordovices from the Cornavâ—â— those ancient Inhabitants mentioned by Ptolomy The Ordovices under Caractacus purchased great honour whilst he a Prince of the Silures removed his Wars thence among them where a while he maintained the Britains liberty with valour and courage in despite of the Romans His Fort is yet witness of his unfortunate Fight seated near Clune-Castle at the confluence of that River with Temd where in remembrance of him the place is yet called Caer-Caradoc a Fort of his won by P. Ostorius Lieutenant of the Romans about the year of Grace 53. The Cornavii were seated upon the North of Severn and branched into other Counties of whom we have said 6 But when the strength of the Romans was too weak to support their own Empire and Britain emptied of her Souldiers to resist the Saxons set foot in this most fair Soil and made it a part of their Mercian Kingdom their line likewise issued to the last period and the Normans beginning where these Saxons left the VVelshmen took advantage of all present occasions and brake over Severn unto the River Dee to recover which the Normans first Kings often assayed and Henry the Second with such danger of Life that at the Siege of Bridge-North he had been slain had not Sir Hubert Syncler received the Arrow aimed at him in stepping betwixt that Shaft and his Soveraign and therewith was shot thorow unto death In the like danger stood Henry Prince of Scotland who in the strait Siege of Ludlow begirt by King Stephen had been plucked from his Saddle with an Iron-hook from the Wall had not Stephen presently rescued him Anno 1139. 7 This then being the Marches of England and VVales was sore afflicted by bloody broils which caused many of their Towns to be strongly walled and thirty two Castles to be strongly built Lastly into this County the most wise King Henry the Seventh sent his eldest Son Prince Arthur to be resident at Ludlow where that fair Castle became a most famous Princes Court And here King Henry the Eight ordained the Council of the Marches consisting of a Lord President as many Counsellors as the Prince shall please a Secretary an Attorney a Soliciter and four Iustices of the Counties in Wales in whose Court were pleaded the Causes depending and termly tried for the most part in presence of that honourable President 8 But the Shire-Town Shrewsbury for circuit trade and wealth doth far exceed this and is inferiour to few of our Cities her buildings fair her streets many and large her Citizens rich her trade for the most part in the Staple Commodities of Cloth and Freeses her Walls strong and of a large compass extending to seventeen hundred paâ—es about besides another Bulwark ranging from the Castle down unto and in part along the side of Severn thorow which there are three entrances into the Town East and West over by two fair Stone-Bridges with Towers Gates and Bars and the third into the North no less strong than them over which is mounted a large Castle whose gaping chinks do doubtless threaten her fall This Town is governed by two Bailiffs yearly elected out or twenty four Burgesses a Recorder Town-Clerk and Chamberlain with three Sergeants at Mace the Pole being raised hence from the degrees of Latitude 53 16 minutes and from West in Longitude 17 degrees 27 minutes 9 Yea and ancienter Cities have been set in this Shire such was Râ—xalter or Wroxcester lower upon Severn that had been Vriconium the chiefest City of the Cornavii Vfocâ—nia now Okenyateâ— near unto the Wrekin and under Red-Castle the Ruins of a City whom the Vulgar report to have been famous in Arthurs daies but the pieces of Romish Coins in these three do well assure us that therein their Legions lodged as many other Trenches are signs of War and of Blood But as Swords have been stirring in most parts of this Province so Beads have been hid for the preservation of the whole and places erected for the maintenance of Votaries in whom at that time was imputed great holiness in Shrewsbury many at Coulmere Stow Dudley Bromfield Wigmore Hamond Lyleshill Bildas Bishops-Castle and Wâ—nloke where in the Reign of Richard the Second was likewise a rich Mine of Copper But the same blasts that blew down the Buds of such Plants scattered also the Fruits from these fair Trees which never since bare the like nor is likely any more to do That only which is rare in this Province is a Well at Pitchford in a private mans yard whereupon floateth a thick Skum of liquid Bitumen which being clear off to day will gather the like again on the Morrow not much unlike to the Lake in the Land of Iewry This Shire is divided into fifteen Hundreds wherein are seated fourteen Market-Towns and hath in it one hundred and seventy Churches for Gods sacred and divine Service CHESTER Petrus Kaerius caeelavit The County Palatine of CHESTER CHAPTER XXXVI CHESSE-SHIRE the County Palatine of Chester is parted upon the North from Lancashire with the River Mercey upon the East by Mercey Goit and the Dane is separated from Darâ—y and Stafford-shires upon the South toucheth the Counties of Shrop-shire and Flint and upon the West with Dee is parted from Denbigh-shire 2 The form of this County doth much resemble the right Wing of an Eagle spreading it self from Wirall and as it were with her Pinion or first Feather toucheth York-shire betwixt which extreams in following the windings of the Shires divider from East to West are 47 miles and from North to South twenty six miles The whole Circumference about one hundred forty two miles 3 If the affection to my natural producer blind not the judgment of this my Survey for Air and Soyl it equals the best and far exceeds her Neighbours the next Counties for although the Climate be cold and toucheth
not the German-Sâ—as a ready means to further the dissolution of her Ice and Snow and the plenty of Coals there gotten a great help to comfort the Body with marmth and defend it from the bitter coldness 4 The soil cannot be rich having neither fertility of ground for Corn or Cattel the most part of it being rough and in every place hard to be manâ—red save only towards the Sea and the River Tyne where by the great diligence and industrious pains of good husbandry that part is become very fruitful 5 The ancient Inhabitants of this Country mentioned by Ptolomy were called OTTALINI OTTADENI and OTTADINI which by an eaâ—ie alteration as M. Câ—mbden saith if it had been called OTTATINI signifying about the River Tyne or on the further side of Tyâ—e for so this People were planted there would have been much consonance both with the name of the Inhabitants and the Position and Site of the Province 6 The chiefest commodity that enricheth this County are those Stones Linthancrates which we call Sea-coals whereof there is such plenty and abundance digged up as they do not only return a great gain to the Inhabitants but procure also much pleasure and profit to others 7 No place of â—his Province vents forth so many of these Sea-coals into other Regions as New-Castle doth being the very Eye of all the Towns in this County for it doth not only minister relief by such provision to all other parts of England but doth also furnish the wants of forrain Countries with her plenty By means of this and the intercouse of Traffique which it hath the place is grown exceeding rich and populous Before the Conquest it was called Monk-chester having been as it seemed in the possession of â—onks and Chester being added which signifies a Bulwark or place of defence and shews that in ancient time it had been a place of Fortification 8 After the Conquest it got the name of Newcastle by the New Castle which Robert the Son of William the Conquerour built there out of the ground What it was called in old time is not known yet some are of opinion that it may be thought to have been Gatrosentum for that Gatesâ—ead the suburb as it were of the same expresseth in their own proper signification that British name Gatrosentum It is now most ennobled both by the Haven which Tyne maketh of that not able depth that it beareth very tall Ships and is able to defend them against Storms and Tempests As also by many favours and honours wherewith it hath been dignified by Princes for Richard the Second granted that a Sword should be carried before the Mayor and Henry the Sixt made it a County consisting of a Corporation within it self It is adorned with four Churches and fortified with strong Walls that have eight gates It is distant from the first West line 21 degrees and 30 minutes and from the Equinoctial-line towards the North-Pole thirty four degrees and fifâ—y-seven minutes 9 The utmost Town in England and the strongest Hold in all Britain is Barwick From whence it had the name is not certainly made known Some fetch it from Berengarius a Duke never read of Howsoever this is better to be said than trusted and whencesoever it hath the name it is seated between two mighty Kingdoms shooting far into the Sea with the which and the River Tweed it is almost encompassed and whensoever any discord fell between the two Nations this place was the first thing they took care of It hath endured the brunts of divers inroads and incursions and been oftentimes possessed and repossessed of the Sâ—ots and English But since it was reduced under the command of Edward the Fourth our Kings have from time to time so strengthned it with new Works and Fortifications as they cut off all hopes of winning it The Governour of this Town is also Warden of the East-Marches against Scotland The Longitude of it according to Mathematical observation is 21 degrees and 43 minutes the Latitude 55 degrees and 48 minutes 10 The Inhabitants of this Country are a warlike People and excellent Horsemen and arâ— made fierce and hard by the several encounters of the Scots and not much unlike them in neither betwixt whom in this County many Battels have been fought and the successes oftentimes waved through very doubtfully the Victory sometimes falling to the Scots sometimes to the English At Otterburne was one in which three or four times it stood doubtfully indifferent till in the end the Scots got the upperhand of the English Howbeit their glory was not made so illustrious by this Conquest but that it was as much darkned by the foil they received at Anwicke where William King of Scots was taken and presented Prisoner to Henry the Second As also by that Battel at Brumridge Where King Athelstan fought a pitcht field against Anlafe the Danâ— Constantine King of 〈◊〉 and Eâ—genius King of Cumberland and that with such fortunaâ—e success as it hath left matter sufficient to fill the pens of Historians Flodden-Field also memorable in the death of Iames the fourth King of Scots who was there slain and his Army overthrown in a sharp Fight as he displayed his Banner in great hope against England when King Henry the Eight lay at the siege of Turnay in France 11 Other Battels in this County have been as that at Hexam called by Beda Hangustâ—ld wherein Iohn Nevil Marquess Mâ—ntacute encountred the Leaders of the Lancastrian Faction with much courage and with greater success put them to flight for which he was made Earl of Northumberland by Edward the Fourth As also that of Dilston by Beda called Devilshurne where Oswald having the Faith of Christ for his Defence and Armour slew Cedwall the Britain in a set Battel himself straightwaies becoming a professed Christian and causing his people to be instructed in Christain Religion 12 Many memorable Antiquities are found in this Country along the Wall and in other places As pieces of Coin Inscriptions broken and unperfect Altars c. the ruines of the Wall yet to be seen but none that deserves more to be remembred than Wall-Town by Beda called Ad Murum for that Segebert King of the East-Saxons was in it baptized in the Christian Faith by the hands of Paulinus and Halyston where the said Paulinus is said to have baptized many thousands into the Faith of Christ in the Primitive Church of the English Nation 13 Busy-gap is a place infamous for robbing and thieving and is therefore rather remembred as a cautionary note for such as have cause to travel that way than for any proper matter of worth it hath that merits place with other parts of this Province Other matters of observation are only these that North-Tyne running thorow the Wall waters two Dales which breed notable light-horse-men and both of them have their hillsâ— hard by â—o boggy and standing with water on the top that no horse-men are able to ride through them and
Son of Syrric who raigned then in Man and honourably received him 2 The same year William the Bastard conquered England and Godred the Son of Syrric died his Son Fingal succeeding him 3 An. 1066. Godred Crovan assembled a great Fleet and came to Maâ— and fought with the people of the Land but received the worst and was overcome The second time renewing his Forces and his Fleet he sailed into Man and joyned Battel with the Manksmen but was vanquished as before and driven out of the Field Howbeit what he could not at first bring to pass with power in those two several onsets he afterward effected by policy For the third time gathering a great multitude together he arrived by night in the haven called Ramsey and hid three hundred men in a Wood which stood upon the hanging hollow brow of an Hill called Sceafull The Sun being risen the Manksmen put their People in order of Battel and with a violent charge encountred with Godred The fight was hot for a time and stood in a doubtful suspence till those three hundred Men starting out of the Ambush behind their backs began to foil the Manksmen put them to the worst and forced them to flie Who seeing themselves thus discomfited and finding no place of refuge leâ—t them to escape with pitiful lamentation submitted themselves unto Godred and besought him not to put the Sword such poor remainder of them as was left alive Godred having compassion on their calamities for he had been pursed for a time and brought up among them sounded a Retreat and prohibited his Host any longer pursuit He being thus possessed of the Isle of Man died in the Island that is called Isle when he had raigned sixteen years he left behind him three sons Lagman Harald and Olave 4 Lagman the eldest taking upon him the Kingdom raigned seven year His brother Harald rebelled against him a great while but at length was taken Prisoner by Lagman who caused his members of generation to be cut off and his eyes to be put out of his head which curelty this Lagman afterwards repenting gave over the Kingdom of his own accord and wearing the Badge of the Lords Cross took a journey to Ierusalem in which he died 5 An. 1075. All the Lords and Nobles of the Islands hearing of the death of Lagman dispatched Ambassadors to Murccard Oâ—brien King of Irelaâ—d and requested that he would send some worthy and industrious man of the Blood-Royal to be their King till Olave the son of Godred came to full age The King yielding to their request sent one Dopnald the son of Tade and charged him to govern the Kingdom which by right belonged to another with lenity and gentleness But after he was come to the Crown forgetting or not weighing the charge that his Lord and Master had given him swayed his place with great Tyranny committing many outrages and cruelties and so raigned three years till all the Princes of the Islands agreeing together rose up against him and made him flie into Ireland 6 An. Dom. 1111. Olave the son of Godred Craven aforesaid began his Raign and raigned forty years a peaceable Prince He took to wife Affrica the daughter of Fergus of Galway of whom he begat Godred By his Concubines he had Raignald Lagman and Harald besides many daughters whereof one was married to Summerled Prince of Herergaidel who caused the ruine of the Kings of the Islands On her he begat four sons Dulgal Raignald Engus and Olave 7 An. Dom. 1144. Godred the son of Olave was created King of Man and raigned thirty years In the third year of his Raign the People of Dublin sent for him and made him their King Which Murecard King of Ireland maligning raised War and sent Osibeley his half brother by the Mothers side with 3000 Men at Arms to Dublin who by Godred and the Dublinians was slain and the rest all put to flight These Atchievements made Godred returned to Man and began to use Tyranny turning the Noblemen out of their Inheritances Whereupon one called Thâ—rsin Otters son being mightier than the rest came to Summerled and made Dulgal Summerleds son King of the Islands whereof Godred having intelligence prepared a Navy of 80 Ships to meet Summerled And in the year 1156 there was a Battle fought at Sea on Twelfth day at night and many slain on both sides But the next day they grew to a pacification and divided the Kingdom of the Islands among themselves This was the cause of the overthrow of the Kingdom of the Isles 8 An. 1158. Summerled came to Man with a Fleet of fifty three Sail put Godred to flight and wasted the Island Godred upon this crossed over to Norway for aid against Summerled But Summerled in the mean time arriving at Rhinfrin and having gathered together a Fleet of 160 Ships coveting to subdue all Scotland by the just Iudgment of God was vanquished by a few and both himself and his son slain with an infinite number of people 9 The fourth day after Raignald began to raign but Godred coming upon him out of Norway with a great number of Armed Men took his Brother Raignald and bereft him both of his Eyes and Genital Members On the fourth Ides of November An. Dom. 1187. Godred King of the Islands died and his body was translated to the Isle of Ely He left behind him three sons Raignald Olave and Tvar He ordained in his life time that Olave should succeed him because he only was born legitimate But the people of Man seeing him to be scarce ten years old sent for Raignald and made him their King This caused great division and many turbulent attempts between the two Brethren for the space of thirty eight years which had no end till at a place called Tingualla there was a Battel struck between them wherein Olave had the Victory and Raignald was slain The Monks of Russin translated his Body unto the Abbey of S. Mary de Fournes and there interred it in a place which himself had chosen for that purpose 10 An. 1230. Olave and Godred Don who was Raignalds son with the Norwegiaus came to Man and divided the Kingdom among themselves Olave held Man and Godred being gone unto the Islands was slain in the Isle Lodaus So Olave obtained the Kingdom of the Isles He died the twelfth Calends of Iune Anno 1237. in Saint Patricks-Islands and was buried in the Abbey of Russin 11 Harold his Son succeeded him being fourteen years of Age and raigned 12 years In the year 1239 he went unto the King of Norway who after two years confirmed unto him his Heirs and Successors under his Seal all the Islands which his Predecessors had possessed 12 An. 1242. Harald returned out of Norway and being by the Inhabitants honourably received had peace with the Kings of England and of Scotland The same year he was sent for by the King of Norway and married his Daughter In the year 1249 as he returned
such civility sown to be in that plot But when Romes great Empire began to grow less the Scots or Scythians grew mighty in Ireland and as Orosius writeth that Island was wholly inhabited by the Scottish Nation in the days of Honorius and Arcadius the Emperours whose Wars and Slaughter Claudian doth lightly touch in this his Verse Scotorum tumulos flevit glacialis Ierne The frozen Ireland wept to see her Scots all slain on heaps to be 14 As these for the most part by the testimony of Ninius were the ancient Inhabitants so by other ancient Writers their customs and manners are thus set forth Strabo saith The Inhabitants of Ireland are more rude than the Britains they feed upon the flesh of men yea and think it a point of worth to eat their dead Parents waâ—tonly they accompany with women making no difference of other mens wives their own sisters nor of their natural mothers but of these things saith he we have no certain witness of sufficient credit Poâ—ponius Mela recordeth That the Irish are uncivil ignorant of vertues and void of Religion And Solinus affirmeth That after victory they drink the blood of the slain and besmear their own faces therewith so given to war that the mother at the birth of a man-child feedeth the first meat into her Infants mouth upon the point of her husbands sword and with heathenish imprecations wisheth that it may die no otherwise than in war or by sword 15 But from these ancient and barbarous manners let us come to the conditions of their middle time whom Giraldus Cambrensis describeth as followeth The Irish saith he are a strong and bold people martial and prodigal in War nimble stout and haughty of heart careless of life but greedy of glory courteous to stranger constant in love light of belief impatient of injury given to fleshly lusts and in eâ—mity implacable At the baptizing of their Infants their manner was not to dip their right arms into the water that so as they thought they might give a more deep and incurable blow never calling them by the names of their Parents whilst they lived together but at their death took it upon them Their women nursed not the children they bare and they that nursed others did affect and love them much more than their own 16 So much were they given to fantastical conceits that they held it very ominous to give their neighbours fire upon May-day to eat an old Egg endangered the death of their Horse and before they cast in their Seed they send Salt into the Field to hang up the Shells in the Roof was a preservative of the Chickens from the Kite to set up green Boughs at their Doors in the Moneth of May increased their Kines Milk and to spit upon Cattel they held it good against Witchery whereof Ireland was full 17 Superstitious Idolatry among the wilde Irish was common yielding divine honour unto the Moon after the change unto whom they both bowed their knees and made supplications and with a loud voice would thus speak unto that Planet We pray thee leave us in as good estate as thou foundst us Wolves they did make their Godsibs terming them Chari Christ and so thought themselves preserved from their hurts the hoofs of dead Horses they accounted and held sacred about childrens necks they hung the beginning of Saint Iohns Gospel a crooked nail of an horse-shoe or a piece of a Wolves Skin and both the sucking-child and nurse were girt with Girdles finely plated of womans hair so far they wandred into the ways of errour in making these arms the strength of their healths 18 Their Wives were many by reason of divorcements and their Maids married at twelve years of age whose customs were to send to their Lovers Bracelets pleated and curiously wrought of their own Hair so far following Venus in the Knots of these Allurements The Men wore Linnen Shirts exceedingly large stained with Saffron the Sleeves wide and hanging to their Knees strait and shâ—rt Trusses plated thick in the Skirts their Breeches close to the Thighs a short Skein hanging point down before and a Mantle most times cast over their Heads The Women wore their Hair plated in curious manner hanging down their Backs and Shoulders from under foulden Wreaths of â—â—ne Linnen rolled about their Heads rather loading the Wearer than delighting the Beholder for as the one was most seemly so the other was unsightly their Necks were hung with Chains and Carkanets their Arms wreathed with many Bracelets and over their Side-garments the Shag-Rug Mantlets purfled with a deep Fringe of divers colours both Sexes accounting Idleness their only Liberty and Ease their greatest Riches 19 In Wars they were forward and fought with Battle-Axes whose Bearers were called Gâ—lloglasses the Common-Souldier but lightly armed who served with Darts and sharp Skeins their Trumpet was a Bag-pipe and Word for Encounter Pharroh which at the first Onset with great Acclamation they uttered and he that did not was taken into the Air and carried into the Vale of Kerry where transformed as they did believe he remaineth until he was hunted with Hounds from thence to his home 20 For the Dying and Dead they hired Women to mourn who expostulated with the Sick why he would die and dead at his Funerals such out-cries were made such clapping of hands such howlings and gestures that one would think their sorrows unrecoverable holding the opinion of Pythagâ—ras for the Souls departed 21 Their Diet in necessâ—â—y was slender feeding upon Water-Cresses Roots Mushromes Shamrogh Butter tempered with Oat-meal Milk Whey yea and Raw 〈◊〉 the Blood being crushed out their use was also to let their Kâ—ne blood which standing a while and coming to a jelly with Butter they did eat as a very good Dish 22 That the Gospel of Christ should be preached in Ireland by Iames the Apostle I will not affirm though Vicentius hath said it neither will I with the Scots bring the Islands conversion from a Christian woman who as their Historians do avouch first instructed the Queen and the Queen her Husband and he again his Subjects till all became â—hristians But most true it is that the Scots first received the doctrine of Christ in this Kingdom of Ireland for thus writeth Prosper Caelesâ—â—n Pope of Rome sent his Archdeacon Palladius into Britain to withstand the Pelagian heresie who at one time did drive out these enemies of grace and ordained a Bishop among the Scots whereby that barbarouâ— Nation embraced Christianity Yet â—inius reporteth That Palladius did nothing in neither being taken away by untimely death but that S. Patrick born at Eiburne in Cluedsdale the Son of Calphurus by the Sister of S. Martin was the first Apostle for Ireland who sowed his heavenly seed with such plentiful increase that the soil it self shortly was called Sanctorum Patria The Country of Saints for whose Sepulchre after his deaâ—h rose as great variance as was for Homer amongst them
them they suddenly perish Thus we see how God gives a property to each place that may make up her defects lest it should be left as well by beasts as men Their Land is full of sandy deserts wâ—ich â—e open to the winds and storms and ofttimes are thrown up into Billows like waves of the Sea and indeed are no less dangerous Straho writes that Cambyses his Army was thus hazarded in Aeâ—hiopia And Herodotus that the Psilli an ancient but foolish Nation it seemâ— in Africa as they marched toward the South to revenge themselves upon the winds for drying up their Rivers were over-whelmed with sand and so died in their graves Besides these annoyances it is so full of a venomous kind of Serpent that in some places they dare not dress their Land unless they first sence their legs with Boots against the sting Other wild creatures there are which range about and possess to themselves a great portion of this Country and make a Wilderness of Lions Leopards Elephants and in some places Crocodiles Hyenaes Basilisks and indeed Monsters without either number or name Afrâ—ca now every year produceth some strange creature before not heard of peradventure not extant For so Plâ—ny thiâ—ks that for want of water creatures of all kinds at some times of the year gather to those few Rivers that are to quench their thirst And then the Males promiscuously enforcing the Females of every Species which comes next him produceth this variety of forms and would be a grace to Afâ—ica were it not so full of danger to the Inhabitants which as Salusâ—t reports die more by Beasts than by diseases And those Tracts about Barbary are every tenth year 15 or 25 visited with a great plague and continually infected with the French disease in such violence that few recover unless by change of Air into Numidia or the Land of Negroâ—s whose very temper is said to be a proper Antidâ—te against those diseases 8 But among all these inconveniences commodities are found of good worth and the very evils yield at last their benefit both to their own Country and other Parts of the world The Elephant a docible creature and exceeding useful for Battel The Camel which affords much riches to the Arabian The Barâ—ary Horse which we our selves commend the Ram that besides his flesh gives twenty pound of wool from his very tail The Bull painful and able to do best service in their tillage And so most of their worst alive or dead yield us their medicinal parts which the World could not well want 9 In her division we will follow our later Masters in this Art whom time at least and experience if no other worth have made more authentick and those divide it into seven parts 1 Barbary or Mauritania 2 Numidia 3 Lybia or Africa pâ—opria 4 Nigritarum Terra 5 Aethiopia superior 6 Aethiopia inferior 7 Aegypt and to these we add the 8 Islands belonging to Africa 10 Barbary is the first The bounds of it are Northward the Mediterraneum Westward the Atlantick On the South the Mountain Atlas and on the East Aegypt It is esteeâ—ed the most noble part of all Africa and hath its name from an Arabick word Barbara that signifies a kind of rude sound for such the Arabians took their language to be and thence the Grecians call them Barbarians that speak a haâ—sher language than themselves Aftâ—r the Latines and now we esteem the people of our own Nation barbarous if they ever so little differ from the rudeness either of our Tongue or Mannâ—rs The Inhabitants are noted to be faithful in their course but yet crafty in promising and per forming too for they are covetous ambitious jealous of their Wives beyond measure Their Country yields Oranges Dates Olives â—igs and a certain kind of Goat whose hair makes a Stuff as firâ— as Sâ—â—k It contains in it the Kingdoms of â—unnis Algeires â—esse and Morocho 1 Tunnis is famous for several places mentioned of old Here was Dona where Augustine was Bâ—shop and Hippo his birth-place And Tunnis a City five miles in compass and old Carthage built by Virgils Dido Romes amâ—la for wealth valour and ambition of the universal Empire It was twenty two miles in câ—rcuit And Vtica memorable for Cato's death 2 Algeires contains in it a strange harbour for the Turkish Pirats and is of note for the resistance it made Charls the Fifth who received before the chief Towns in this Region an innumerable loss of Ships Horses Oâ—dnance and Men. 3 Eesse hath a City in it with seven hundred Churches and one of them a mâ—le and half in coniâ—ass Stafford And in this Country was our English Stukely slain 4 Morocho where the chief Town of the same name hath a Church larger than that of â—essâ— and hath a Tower so high that you may discern from the top of the hills of Azasi at an hundred and thiry miles distance Here is likewise a Castle of great same for their Globes of pure gold that stand upon the top of it and weighing 130000 Barbary Duckets 11 Numidia was the second part in our division of Africa and hath on the West the Atlantick on the East Egypt on the North Atlas and the Deserts of Lybia on the South It is called likewise Regio Dactylifera from the abundance of Dates for they feed upon them only and people Idolaters Ideots Thieves Murderers except some few Arabians that are mingled among them of ingenious disposition and addicted much to Poetry They seldome stay longer in one place than the eating down of the grass and this wandering course makes but few Cities and those in some places three hundred miles distant 12 Lybia the third is limited on the East with Nilus Westward with the Atlantick on the Noâ—th with Numidia and the South with Terra Nigritarum It was called Sarra as much as Desert For so it is and a dry one too such as can afford no water to a Traveller sometimes in seven days Iourney The Inhabitants are much like to the Numidians live without any Law almost of Nature Yet in this place were two of the Sibyls which prophesied of Christ and Arrius the Heretick About Lybia were the Garamantes and the Psilli mentioned before for their simple attempts against the South-wind 13 Terra Nigritarum the Land of Negroes is the fourth and hath on the West the Atlantick on the East Aethiopia superior on the North Lybia on the South Kingdom of Manilongâ— in the inferiâ—r Aethiopia It hath the Name either from the colour of the people which are black or from the River Niger famous as Nilus almost for her over-flowing insomuch that they pass at some times in Boats through the whole Country It is full of Gold and Silver and other Commodities but the Inhabitants most barbarous They draw their Original form Châ—s and have erâ—ertained all Religions that came in their way First their own then the Iews the Mahometans and some of them the Christian.
earths Longitude but now it is removed into the next Islands more North which are the Azores and belong properly to Europe as lying neerer Spain than any other Continent The number of the Canaries are seven The chief Canary next Palus where our Ships touch to refresh themselves in their voyage toward â—merica Then Tanariffa which hath no water but from a cloud that hangs over a tree and at noon dissolves and so is conveyed into several parts The other four are Gomera Hieior Lansarat and Fuâ—rlâ— ventura some few other not worth note or name The men lend their Wives like Horses or any other Commodity 5 Lastly the Hâ—sperides not far from the Gorgadâ—s they are often mentioned by our ancient Poets in the fable of Atlas his Daughters It was supposed to be their seat of their blessed which they called the Elizian field And indeed it is a very happy soyl the weather continually fair the seasons all temperate the air never extream To conclude Africa affords not a sweeter place to rest in EUROPA P. Kaerius Caelavit The Description of EUROPE EVROPE may perhaps think her self much injured to be thus cast back into the third place of my Division and reckoned the last of the old World but my promise shall be here made good to give her her due And though Chronology will not allow the precedency yet compare her present estate with the rest and you may take her rank here to be ad Pompam as most commonly in our solemn Triumphs those of most worth are â—â—arshalled forth last Yet were she so minded to quarrel for Antiquity she should not want abettors such as would have some parts of Europe flourish within thirty years after the conâ—usion of Tongues The original of the Germanâ— Kingdom is drawn by Aventinus Helcrus and others form Tuiscâ— the son of Noah and he began his Reign in the year 1787. after the Creation and that was but one hundred thirty one years after the Deluge not above thirty from the time that they were dispersed out of Babel But to pass by those uncertain sâ—ories which may admit dispute we have to this day the Germane Triers a City standing from the time of Abraham and bears as yet the marks both of the Art and ambition of the Babylâ—nians As if here they strove to reach eternity as they did before in the plain of Shinar to top Heaven 2 Sure I am what ever part of the world was first famous Europe soon got the start and took the Scepter of the earth into her hand she had the name with Pliny of Orbis domitorum genitrix and well she might if we but read her story since first she came in view In the Greek Monarchy Alexander was her Champion In the Latine Empire the Romans bare the sway and scarce left a corner of the earth then known unconquered And to this day the Princes of Eurâ—pe enlarge their D ominions upon the Regions of the other three A small portion as we are of this little Isle in respect of their vast Continent yet have we a part too in America for our peculiar and hope still to bring more into our prossessions that we may bring them unto Christ. 3 In respect of the two other quarters in the Eastern Hemisphere Europe is partly West and partly North for she is situated North-ward betwixt the Tropick of Cancer and the Polar Artick and Westward hath no Continent betwixt her and America but is bounded with the Atlantick Ocean On the East toward Asia she hath the Mare Aegeum which the Italians call Archipelagus and the Pontus Euxinus or Mare Magor And the Palus Meoris and the River Tanais South-ward it hath the Mediterraneum and Fretum Herculeum So that it is almost encompast with the Seas and hath the form of a Peninsula whose Isthmus that joyns it ot the rest of the Continent is to be reckoned that part which lyeth betwixt the branches of the River Tanais and the Mare Glaciale These are her out bounds 4 If we view her within we shall find that Nature has not spent her store nor was she close handed when she allotted her portion And though Europe indeed be the least yet is she furnished in all points with the like variety her Rivers as commodious as those of Asia and Africa and her Mountains no less famous than Taurus or Atlas Her measure indeed is not comparable to any of the other three She bears in Longitude but 3800. miles from S. Vincent in Portugal to Constantinople And in Latitude at most 1200. and that too from the Aegean to the frozen Sea by some account not above 900. 5 But by her extent as it is small it adds to her glory that in exiguo res numerosa jacet that yet sheexceeds those vaster Regions and bears the name of the most happy Country in the world both for plenty of Corn Plants Fruits for Rivers and Fountains of admirable vertues for beauty as well of Cities Castles and Horses as men and women of excellent feature For the study of Arts for sincerity in Religion and what-ever else God hath pleased to bless his Church with from the beginning 6 She wants nothing but what she may well spare wild beasts which cause Deserts in the parts where they breed hot Spices which fit not our temper and rather corrupt our manners than mend our diet precious Iewels and the like which have brought in a degree of vain and useless pride not known before by our Predecessors yet too of gold silver and other commodious Metals she hath her portion And in brief is of a very prosperous temper yet of so strange variety that it is admirable to think that there is no place in this quarter but is fit for any man to live in Insomuch as every corner is inhabited as is confirmed by our later Travellers though heretofore it hath been questioned by reason of the extream cold toward the Pole This in general 7 In her division we will begin from her Western parts that lye towards the first Meridian of Longitude and so on till we come to her Eastern limits which joyn her to Asia The order is 1 Spain 2 France 3 Belgia 4 Germany 5 Italy 6 Denmark 7 Hungary 8 Polonia 9 Sclavonia 10 Greece 11 Dacia 12 Norwegia 13 Suevia 14 Muscovia 8 Every least Region of Europe merits a peculiar description at large and shall in its turn partake of my pains such as it is In the mean time I will here instruct my Reader in the general knowledge of each and direct him principally to their situation that he may with ease find their propinquity and distance in respect of each other which cannot be so aptly exprest in their several Maps nor so easily scanned as in this which presents to his eye all at one view 9 Spain is the first and the amplest Region of Europe for in breadth in numbreth 10000 stadia saith Appianus and little less as it seemeth in
have the name of Summers Islands possest by a Plantation of English and agreeth well with their temper 10 Hispaniola or Haitie the first that was described by Columbus in the beginning of his attempt An excellent Island for temper of air fertility of soil rich Mines Amber Sugar and Roots medicinal One of the chief Towns in Dâ—mingo ransackt by Sir Francis Drake 1585. The rest are S. Isabella S. Thome S. Iolius c. 11 There are a rank of Islands neer the Basis of the South America that are called Insulae Carâ—lum or Canibalorum part of them are Canibals and wild people yet they yield Commodities especially the Guiaâ—um or lignum Sanctum 26 The Islands of America on the West in the Pacisick Sea are not many of much account 1 The chief is Califormia an Island of about 500 leagues from the North Cape Mendocina to the South S. Lucas which enters a little within the Tropick of Cancer 2 Insulae Salemonis supposed by some to be the Land of Ophir 3 Insulae Lâ—tronum named from the Natives theft who stole Magellanus Coch-boat when he first entred in Ελλας GREECE Petrus Kaerius Caelav The Description of GRAECIA GReece is divided from Italy but by a short cut of the Adriatick Sea Each is so placed in Contra-view of the other as if she were ordered to over-look her neighbours actions And so indeed there that been continually a mutual emulation betwixt the two flourishing Nations which have either in turns possest or at once divided the Empire of our Christian world 2 However now she lieth dejected and groans under a miserable servitude yet once she had as well the preheminence of Rome in glory as the precedence in time For to say truth she was the wisest of any people that were not enlightned with the knowledge of that great mystery she set a patteren for government to all her succeeding ages and in brief she was the mistrest almost of all Sciences some there are which in a strict accompt will except none but the Mathematiques And yet too though those without doubt owetâ—eir Being to the Chaldeans and Aegyptians sure I am that even in them she bred some of the most famous Artists that ever the World had Euclidâ— may be my proof In Philosophy Sâ—crates Plato and our great Aristole In Oratory Demosthemes Aeschines and Isocrates In Historiography Xenophon Theucidides Plutarch and Herodotus In Poesie Hesiod Homer Sophocles and Aristophanes In State policy the wisest Solon of Atheâ—s and Lycurgus of Lacâ—demoniâ— In Military affairs Themisâ—ocles Miltiades and the great Alexander and infinite others which had all past their times and Greece almost sunk in her luster before the name of Rome was heard of almost in her Territories 3 She was at first but a small parcel of this quarter till by her prowess she grew on upon her neighbouring Countries and enlarged her Dominions through all Mâ—cedonia Peloponâ—esus Epirus thâ— Aegean Islands and Thrace and besides sent forth Colonies into other parts as well of Asia and Africa as of Europe whereof some retain the Greek names to this day Her self enjoyed the liberty for a long time which the first Inhabitants took to themselves and felt not the burden of a tributary Nation till the time of the Persian Cyrus He first brought her under After him Xerxes and other of the Kings of Persia which held it till it was recovered by Phillip King of Macedonia and from him it fell to Alexander the great who first took up his Greek Monarchy and at his death in the division delivered this with the rest to his successours in the Kingdome of Macedonia and so it continued until their last Perseus in whose time it fell into the power of the Romans 4 But when that Empire too had its fate to be severed by Constantine the great into the East and West the Greeks again put in for a part and were for a time Rulers of the East till they were successively over-run by the Goths Bulgarians Saracens and Turks under whom to this day the poor wretches suffâ—r continual persecution for the name of Christ and aâ—e scarce permitted by that great tyrant means of learning to know the Names for which they suffer 5 This Region was first called Helles from Hello the son of Dencalion and Pyrrha and in after times took the name of Graecia from Graecus the son of Cecrops and King then of that part only which was called Attica For then there were many States which were ordered by their peculiar Princes But when once they were joyned into a Monarchy the whole retained the name of that part which was accounted most famous and the Inhabitants in their stories generally called Graecians though sometimes by the like synecdoche Achâ—i Achevi Argivi Danai Dolopes Dores Dryopes Hellenes Iones Myrusidones and Pelasgi 6 The bounds of Greece have been severally set as her government hath been either enlarged by her own valour or impaired by a foraign enemy But as she is now taken by Geographers her mark on the East is the Aegean Sea on the West the Adriatick which severs her from Italy on the North the mountain Hanus which is reported though falsly to be of such heighth that from the top a man may descry Seas four several ways and on the South the Meditertaneum Ionium Seas 7 The Region thus limited was once as fertile pleasant and rich as any part of the whole Continent And by reason of her plenteous Rivers and commodious access for ships from almost all Coasts she could want no means to export her own overpluâ— or import forraign merchandise from all parts of the known world If at this day it appears not in that lustre no marvel Barbarus has segetes Impius hac tam culta nevalia miles habebat 8 And besides the base misusage of the mis-believing Turk the very Natives themselves are fallen from the noble disposition of their Predecessors into an incredible sottishness and those which before reckoned the rest of the earth Barbarous in comparision to their polite Common-wealth are now themselves sunk below the envy of the meanest Nation and become the most miserable object of pity living upon the earth Indeed they may hardly be said to live for that they take no farther care than barely to live They are lazy beyond belief and ignorant almost beyond recovery for they have now no means to bring their children either to learning or manners Not an Academy in all Greece Their carriage generally uncivil their feasts riotous and their mirth debaucht Their Wives are well-favoured and so indeed they must be for they use them no longer as their Wives than they continue to their liking when they once fade they are put to the house drudgery Their language is the same as heretofore but rudely corrupted though as Maginus reports it differs not so much as the Italian from the pure Latine They have no habit almost proper but those which serve the Turk wear their
from the report of 〈…〉 and other ancient Writers But the reason I hold not good for â—owsoâ—ver it might be true in 〈◊〉 times of some and the most part perhaps of 〈◊〉 as it was then 〈◊〉 that it wâ—s 〈…〉 yet now she hath changed her 〈…〉 6 By her first Geographers she was 〈…〉 tongue and Empire exercised over the Region of Prussia South-ward she reacheth beyond Danubius to the very Alpes which border upon Italy Northâ— ward she hath ever kept her own but hath been curb'd indeed from seeking new Kingdoms in that tract by the main Ocean which divides her in part from Swevia Norway c. And to these limits we apply our Description No marvelâ— if it give her more honour than she had in former times For her compass now is reckoned to be 2600 English miles Her ground fertile enough of it self and yet besides enjoyes the benefit of many Navigable Rivers which enrich her with traffique from other Kingdoms 7 Those of greatest fame are 1 Danubius the largest of Europe called by Pliny and others Ister It takes in sixty Navigable Rivers and is at last discharged by many passages into the Pontus Euxinus 2 Rhene which hath its rising from the Alpes and runs into the German Ocean From thence have we our best Rhenâ—sh Wines and upon his banks sâ—ands the City Strasburge 3 Amaâ—us Fms which glides by Wâ—stphalia into the German Sea 4 Maemu Megu whose head is in the Mountains of Boâ—emia and from thence passeth by Francfort into the German sea 5 Albis Elve which riseth from the eleven Fountains meeting into one about the Sylva Hircinian 6 Odeca which hath not his passage immediately into the Sea but inâ—o the River Albis The middle mark of this Country is the Kingdom of â—ohemia encompassed with the Sylva Hircinia 8 The chief commodities of Germany are Corn Wine Salt Metals of all sorts Fruits good store Safron c. The Aire wholsome her Bathes healthful her Gardens pleasurable her Cities fair her Castles strong and her Villages very many and well peopled 9 The Inhabitants have put off their ancient rudeness as the Country her barrenness They are as goodly of person as ever as stout as ever and far more civill than in the time of the Romans It seems they were then esteemed but an ignorant and simple people more able to fight than to mâ—nage a battle They were ever hardy enough but wanted Commanders of their own of skill and â—udgement Since they had commerce with other Nations and have suffered the upbraid asit were of their Predecessors dulness they have been in a manner shamed out of it and are now become rather by industry than wit a most ingenious people and skilful in the Latine Greek and Hebrew learning famous beyond any others in Europe unless Belgia for the invention of many notable and â—seful Engines The Gun and Gun-powder was first brought to light by one Bertholdus Swart a Franciscan which hath almost put by the use of any other warlike Instrument in those parts of the world where the practice is perfectly understood Generally the poorer sort are excellent Mechanicks and the rest for the most part Scholars 10 It bred Albertâ—s Mâ—gnus Appean Geâ—ner Munster Luther Vrsin Zuinglius Scultetus Iunius Keckerman and many others in their several kinds and Religions some Papists some Lutherans some Calvinists and among the rest many Iews 11 The Government of this Germany is Imperial as once that of Rome was though it flourish not in so full glory The right descends not by succession nor is the election continued by the like suffrage as in old Rome The power of choice was conferred by Pope Gregory the tenth upon seven German Princes three Spiritual and four Temporal These are the Arch-bishop of Mentâ— Chancellour of the Empire through Germany Archbishop of Cullen Chancellour of the Empire through Italy Arch-bishop of Triers Chancellour of the Empire through France The Temporal are the King of Bohemea who hath the casting voice only in case of equality among the other six his office is to be chief Cupâ— bearer at the great solemnity Next him the Count Palatine of the Rhene Arch-sewer to the Emperour Duke of Saxony Lord Marshal and Marquess of Brandenburge chief Chamberlain Each of these perform his own Office in person upon the day of Inauguration The Duke of Saxoâ—y bears the sword The Count Palatine placeth his meat on the Table The King of Bohemia bears his Cup and delivers it him to drink Marquess of Brandenbâ—rg serveth him water to wash And the three Bishops bless his meat He receiveth three Crowns before he is fully setled into the Majesty of the Empire The first is of Silver for Germaâ—y The second of Iron for Lombardy And the third of Gold for the Empire the last is set on at Rome For to this day it pretends to the name of the Roman Empire and gives the title oâ— Caesar or Roâ—ani imperii Imperator 12 The first which enjoyed the institution of Pope Gregory was Radulphus Nabs Purgensis 1273. after twelve years interregnum The last before him was our Richard Earl oâ—â— Cornwall and brother to Henry the third King of England Since it hath continued firm in this course of Election howsoever not with that liberty as was intended For commonly the Emperour in being while he hath his power about him and can at least intreat if not command the subjects of the Empire promise a choice of the Rex Roâ—aâ—orum who is no other than a Successour designed to rule after his death or resignation And by this means it hath a long time continued in the house of Austria without any intermission 13 Thus we â—â—e much plotting great state many ceremonies to the making up of an Emperour and yet when it is well weighed it is little better then a bare title For howsoever these outward obâ—ervances of the Gâ—rman Princes make show of an humble subjection to the Emperour yet when it comes to trâ—all it hath very little to do in their Governments But each of them takes upon â—im as a â—ree and absolute Commander in his own Country permitteth or suppresseth the Beligion which he â—ither likes or dislâ—kes makes and abrogates Laws at pleasure stamps Coyn raiseth souldiers and sometimes against their great Master as the Duke of Saxony against Charles the fiâ—th and at this day divers others in defence of the Princâ— Pâ—latine For of this qâ—ality and power there are many Dukes Marquesses Counts c. besides 64 Franc Cities which make only some slight acknowledgment to the Emperour appear perhaps at his â—arliaments and they say are bound to â—urnish him at need with 3842 horse amonge them and 16200 foot 14 The cheiâ—est Regions of Germany best known to us and noted by our Geographers with a more eminent Character than the rest are these 1 East Frizeland 2 Westphalia 3 Cullen 4 Munster 5 Triers 6 Cleve 7 Gulick 8 Hassis 9 Alsatia 10 Helvetia 11 Turingia
was forced by Evander the Arcadian a man of that admirable eloquence that he was called the son of Mercury but had by chance slain his Father and was therefore expulsed his inheritance and advised into Italy by his Mother a great Prophetess of those times He removed the Aborigines from their seat and planted his companions in the same plot of ground where after Rome was built and in the Mons Palatinus founded a little Town which he called Palâ—auteum in memory of his great grandâ—father And this was about the year 2710. 6 About 60 years after Aeneas arrived in this Countrey from the siege of Troy was entertained as an amorous suitor by Lavinia with consent of her Father Latinus and after the death of his corrival Turnus King of the Rutilians was setled heir to the Latin Monarchy after his Father 7 From Aeneas to Numitor the succession went on not without some rubs but suffered no great breach for almost four hundred years When the title should have fallen to him being the elder and true heir he was spoiled of the Kingdom by his younger Amulius Sylvius nor could it be recovered till time had given growth and strength to Romulus and Remus his grand-children by his daughter Rhea 8 The birth and breeding of these two brothers is well known we need not enlarge their story farther than thus They were the sons of Rhea a Virgin which was cloystered up into the Temple of Vesta by her Uncle Amulius Sylvus that she might not bring forth an heir to endanger his Title Notwithstanding means was found so that she conceived at once two children by Mars and was delivered among her Sister Vâ—stals For this her self as the censure was upon such delinquents was buried alive her boys exposed to be destroyed but were preserved by Faustulus the Kings Shepherd and nursed by his wife Laurentia or Lâ—pa for her bad life 9 When years and their supposed father had taught them their pedegree and the base tyranny of their Uncle they began with revenge upon him for their mothers quick burial for their own intended murder and their Grandsires injury To be brief they slew their great Uncle Amâ—lius Sylvius and turned the Kingdom to the rightful 〈◊〉 10 Thus when they had once dealt in disposing of Empires they could not easily return to the Shepherds hook but bethought them of the like fortune for their own advancement and stirred not far to make good their purpose but in the very Mons Palatinus the place where they suckt their nurse they drew together a monstrous head of debaucht Shepherds and built the City which is now called Rome from Romulus who in strife for the name or as some say for a disdainful skip over the new walls slew his brother Rhemus and was left the sole Founder and Commander of this rascal crew for so indeed it was and held in that contempt by their borderers that they could not by intreaty get wives from them to continue their succession till by a guile they had enticed the Sabines to their Pastimes ravisht their women and afterward by degrees either made their peace or wan it with the sword from the people round about them 11 Thus began the Empire of Rome and was governed at first by 7 Kings in a direct succession to Tarquinius Superbus who lost both himself and Kingdom by his own pride and his Son Sextus rape upon Lucretia It was next taken up by Consuls two annually chosen out of the Patritii or principal Citizens The third rank were of Decemviri but they again were dispossest for the like rape of Appius upon Virginia and Tribunes were constituted of Consulary authority Then Consuls again in another course and for a while Dictators which when Caesar had once clapsed he soon made to himself a power Imperial and though after five years it cost him his life which he enchanged with Brutus and Cassius for 23 wounds in the Senate-house yet the liberty of Rome was never so fully recovered but that soon after the Government fell upon Angustus by the death of Anthony and deposing of Lepidus who for a while were joyned with him into the Triumviratus 12 Thâ—s hold was scarce ever lost clearly to this day though by the changing of the seat Imperial from Rome to Bizantium in the reign of their forty third Constantinus by the division into the Eastern and Western in the time of Theodotius by the many invasions of the Goths Huns Vandals Alani Burgundians and Lombards it comes now far short of that full glory in which it once shined 13 Yet is Italy still as before a happy soyl pleasant and fertile at all times moderate weather and healthful air full of variety as well of living creatures as Plants Corn Wine Oyl Linnen Herbs c. And can afford into other Countries Rice Silks Velvets Sattins Taffataes Grogram Rash Fustians Gold-wire Armour Allom Glasses c. The rich are very rich for wealth will come with much labour in great abundance but the poor are extream poor for they are most of them very idle 14 Her chief Rivers are Padus or Poe Athesis Rubica Tyberis Arnus c. And her chief Mountains are the Alps and Mons Appennius The first are in height 5 dayes journey covered with snow and from thence have their name à nivibus albis They have two passages from Germany into the Countrey and three out of France From Germany by the Valtoline and by Trent Out of France through Provence and Liguria through the hills Genura to Lombardy and through the Countrey of Turaign The Appennine Mountains run at length with Italy like the ridge of a mans back and is called indeed Spina The measure of Italy is from North-west to South-East about 1020 miles and from the two Seas cross in some places 410. 15 The Inhabitants are of a sad temper solid judgement witty Politick and frugal yet they are as deeply engaged to their peculiar vices hot letchers and those seldome stand quit from that horrible torture of jealousie over their Wives for it measures others actions by its own rule Both in them are incredible and makes treachery and murder seem no fault in their eye if they be provoked by suspition Little friendship with them but for advantage and a man must beware that he venter not farther upon those terms than he may well step back lest he be betrayed perhaps forced to a love worse than their hate for they are most unnatural in their lust The Women when they have their free liberty differ not much but their close keeping either hinders or at least hides their faults so as they appear modest lovely and witty for as much as they dare speak 16 For war and learning it bred in times past the mirrour of both Camillus Fabius Maximus Scipio Pompey Caesar Cicero Livie Tacitus Virgil Ovid and many hundreds which yet prompt our tongues and pens with examples of goodness in several kinds Nor hath it lost that
of Millain is of circuit not much short of Florence and her chief Town is Mantua who may still glory in the birth of that excellent Pot Virgil. It is very strongly situated and fenced on three sides with water a quarter of a mile broad and the rest is guarded by a firm wall And to this Principality belongs the Dukedome of Mount-ferrat in the South East of Piedmont 24 The Dukedom of Vrbin in the midst of the Papal Territories and upon the North side of the Appennine Mountains Her principal City is Vrbin the birth-place of another Virgil though not of equal â—ame yet one in whom we have somewhat more interest for he writ an English History being at that time here resident and Collector of the Popes Peter-pence Besides this here are two hundred Castles The rock of Sâ— Leo Marivol c. Some other Towns as Cabo Pisanco c. 25 The Principality of Parma on the South of Mantua and the North of the Appennine East of Millain and West of Medena Besides other commodities which she yields in equal plenty with other parts of Italy sends a pleasant Cheese into other Countries which we call Parmasans And her chief City is Parma This Principate carries with it Mirandula and her Territories a place heard of by the common mention which is made of learned Picus de Mirandula 26 The state of Genoa is contracted now from that large compass which heretofore it fetcht in It contained once Liguria and Capua with the Taurica Chersonesus Hetruria and a fair company of Islands in the Greek Seas Little left at this time upon the main Land besides Liguria and that lieth betwixt the Rivers Varus and Marca hath the Alps on the West which divide her from Provence Hetruria on the East on the North of the Appennine Mountains and on the South the Tyrrhene Seas She hath her name from the chief City built by Ianus It is in compass eight miles and the houses for two stories high are built with marble The people noble minded and forward to any honourable action be it in Wars by the Land or hazzard by Sea One Christopher Columbus is sufficient to make good this Elogy for whose birth she deserves to be honoured to the Worlds end The women of Genoa are the most happy of any in Italy for they may see a man and speak and be courted if not too boldly without suspition of their friends or jealousie of their husbands 27 The state of Luca is in Tuscania and comprehends the Territories and City Luca built by Lucumâ— King of Italy upon the River Serchius It was once the rendezvouz of Pompey Caesar and Crassus Here they joyned their forces in their great attempt This hath been the Emperours the Genoa's the Vâ—netians the Mâ—llanois and the Florentines in their several turns They now rest under the protection of the King of Spain HUNGARIA Petrus Kaerius Caelavit The Description of the Kingdom of HUNGARY IT is not without example of good authoriy if I take into this Description not only that part which is now more peculiarly known by the name of Hungary but the whole Country likewise of Darcia which was once one with it though time and fortune have at last severed them so that each hath now its own Princes Laws Customes Language and Religion different from other I the rather take to my self this leave to avoid both the charge and trouble of ordering for every one a several Table 2 First then the Kingdom of Hungaria is on the South-East of Germany and joyns upon the Dukedom of Austria They heretofore divided betwixt them the Countrey of Pannonia Austria was the superior and this the inferior Pannonia The government and titles are now dis-joyned and Austria hath got the start in power for she is the mother of many German Princes and hath drawn the crown Imperial almost into a succession 3 Yet is Hungary still an absolute Kingdom and if not so rich and populous as heretofore it must not take from her honour since her fortunes sunk not through want of valour and fault of her former Inhabitants but we have been for a long time exposed to hazzard in the defence of Christendome against the mis-believing Turks and for that it hath been by some stiled the Coâ—k-pit of the world where once in a year at least a prize is played and some ground either won or lost by either party 4 The first Inhabitants of this Country were the Pannones those were expulsed by the Gothes And when the Gothes went into Italy it was leâ—t to the possession of the Hunni a Scythian people which lived before near the Palâ—s Mâ—otis and when they saw their time changed their seat and about the year three hundred seventy three brake by great multitudes into these parts of Europe which they held till they were displaced by the Lombards These last were the Winnili which lived in Scandia or Scandinaria a Northern Peninsula betwixt the German and Hyperborean Seas Their seat it seems was too barren for their number and meer want of Victuals forced them to seek better sustenance in some other quarter They over-ran many Countries e're they could find any one to their content Among the rest the Parnonia had her course and here they continued till they marched into Italy under the command of Alboinus where after 200 years their Kingdom was ruined by Charlemain 5 When it was thus left by Lombards the Hunnes returned to their former seat and after some time of rest grew up to a great Nation able to encounter the Roman Macrinus to break his forces and return victors from the battel About the year 439. they chose for their King Attyla whose inscription was Attyla Mundizi filius Magni Nim nepos Engadiae natus divinâ benignitate Hunnorum Medorum Gothorum ac Danor um metus orbis Deique flagellum An insolent title but indeed he was victorious over most parts of the then known world and bethought himself of enlarging his Territories in Asia and Africa But that design was drowned in wine and Lust which at length brought him to a most miserable destruction For in the night time when he had filled himself with both as he lay by his Concubine with his face upward in a dead sleep his nose gusht a bleeding and châ—ked him being not able to recover himself from his back to give it pasâ—age 6 Since this setling they were once more disturbed by the Lombards and after by Charles the Great so that they were not well â—astned in their possession of this Countrey till the time of the Emperour Arnulphus about the year 900. And indeed at this day hardly enjoy it by reason of the incredible spoils and massacres which the Tartars commit amongst them This last name of Hâ—ngaria without doubt had the Original from their present Inhabitants and their Predecessors which at times have peopled this Countrey above 1200 years 7 This Hungaria propria is bounded on the West with
dead in a dejected Nation and now they break out into flames which stirred them to require that by force of Arms which they could not request by submissive Oratory 4 Hence grew their first quarrel with the Romans which they put on with that courage and success that they were emboldened at last to assault the very City with so strong Forces that the glory of it began to shake and had shattered to pieces had not the victory followed rather the fortune of one Marius than the valour of the whole Roman Legions and that too as some relate it was bought of his heathenish gods at a dear rate by the bloudy sacrifice of his own daughter The great and most memorable encounter was six hundred and forty years after the City was built about an hundred and eleven before Christ. And then indeed they received in a manner a fatal crush which quelled them for the present yet not so but that in after ages they recovered strength and same spread their victories over the most part of Europe and left their name for many years since that in Italy it self 5 For without doubt those Cimmerii mentioned by Starbo which lived on the North side of the Appennine Mountains near Boianum were of this stock and of that note as they gave occasion for many Proverbs and Fables to both Greek and Latin Poets It was a people which belike seldom saw Sun but lurked for the most part under ground lived upon theft and issued forth only in the night a season most fit for deeds of darkness and so was their whole course which caused our well known Adage of tenebrae Cimmeriae pro densissimâ caligine The horrid dens and dismal Rivers which ran by the place of their abode bred at length a terrour in the silly Heathens and was esteemed by them the passage down to their Elizium So Homer gives it in the second of his Odysses and Virgil in his sixth of the Aeneidos and here did Naso feign his house of sleep Metamorph. 11. Est propè Cimmerios longo spelunca recessu Mons Carus ignavi domus penetralia Somni 6 Thus was their Original and progress for the first Age whilst it continued iâ— the possession of the Cimmerians The next which succeeded were the Saxons a people no less famous but since their story hath been elsewhere remembred in our other Descriptions it must give place here to the third Invader the Danes who whilst the Saxons were employed with us here in the Conquest of England start out of those petty Isles in the Sinus Codanus and took up their room in this Peninsula There they have continued to this day and added other Territories to their Dominions so that the then Cimbria Chersonesus is but a parcel of the now Kingdom of Denmark as shall appear when we come to her division and that only which in our latter times is called Iuitland and runs North ward in form almost of a Hounds tongue into the Baltick Ocean 7 The Danes like enough were at first one Nation with the Cimbri but being together expulsed by the Scythians from their native soyl they were severally dispersed though not at any great distance These setled themselves in the Northern Isles as the other did in their Chersonesus The first at their removal varied not their antique name of Cimbri As for Chersonesus it is not peculiar to this Country being as common as Peninsula for it imports no more than 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 à terrâ insulâ and of these there are many more some perhaps of equal same Taurica Chersonesus was not far distant from the place of their first abode Peloponnesus well known in Greece Thracia Chersonesus in Thrace and Aurea Chersonesus in India 8 But the Danes it seems suffered some change as well in their name as fortunes Saxo Grammticus gives it to one Dan the son of Huniblus which was their first Governour in their new Commonwealth But this is controuled by Reccanus saith Quade who renders another Etymon how likely I leave to those who can best judge by their skill in the Danish Language The Cimbri saith he when they were grown to great multitudes bethought themselves of several names to distinguish their Colonies Each following their own conceiâ— best to express the quality in which they most gloried Among the rest some there were which affecting at least the opinion of a valiant people such as scorned riches without honour honour without victory and victory without the bloud of their enemies assumed their name from that creature which Nature had marked out with this Character Gallum igitur gallinaceum tum bellicae laudis generosissimi animi tum indolis regalis militis strenui adomnia momenta vigilis optimum exemplar ut pro Symbolo synthemate quodam sivi acceperunt it a nomen quoque ab eo placuit mutuari vocarunt enim sese Dic Hanem compositae per concisâ—onem Danem quod Gallinaâ—â—â— significat 9 However the Etimon may be far fetcht for ought I know yet doubtless at this day they make good the Elogy of a valiant and warlike Nation strong of body big boned and of a terrible countenance ambitious of a glorious death rather than a sluggish idle life It is the saying of Valerius Maximus Cimbros Celteberos in acie gaudio exultare consuevisse tanquam gloriosè feliciter vita excessuros lamentari vero in morbo quasi turpiter perituros We our selves heretofore have felt their stroaks and submitted to their Conquests in the time of Osbert King of Northumberland They were provoked by a rape done upon the Sister of the Danish King for which the poor English dearly paid with two hundred fifty five years servitude under their tyranny Yet since we have had and at this time do enjoy the benefit of their magnanimity under the personal conduct of the right valiant and illustrious King Christian who hazards both his state and life in the behalf of his dear neece Elizabeth and her Royal Husband the Prince Palatine of the Rheine 10 Their first Prince which established them a setled and civil government was Gotricus in the year seven hundred ninety seven Before it was but a confused state and affords us little certainty of their story From that time the government hath been under a sole King of equal power with the greatest though his Revenues are hardly answerable His best profit is from a breach of the Sea which runs into the middle part of the Countrey commonly called the Sound which is a passage so narrow that no shipping can pass that way without the licence and favour of the Wathch-men keeping Garrison there to receive the Imposts and Customs of the arriving Vessels for the King It is easily gathered to what sum of money that Impost amounteth by the infinite number of Shipping of Hâ—lland Zealand France England Sâ—otland Norway and the Baltick Sea that sail in those Seas and of necessity must
hath oftentimes done The rest are not many and those but weakly peopled For the often incursions of the Tartars their speedy Horse to ride a great compass in a little time their 〈◊〉 of Faith upon terms of composition and their cruelty when they have got a victory causeth the Inhabitants of those parts to fly them at a great distance and leave their Land waste since they dare not trust their peace nor are able to withstand their war PERSIA P. Karius Caelavit The Description of the Kingdom of PERSIA THis Empire was one of the first and most potent in the Eastern world and though since in several ages she hath felt the variety of fortunes to which all Kingdomes are subject and been forced to deliver up her glory to the succeeding Monarchies of the Macedonians Parthians Turks and Sarazens yet now at last is she recovered to her own heighth and greatness and the name of Persia reacheth farther than ever if we take in as most Geographers do the Regions of Media Assyria and the rest which were heretofore the seat of several illustrious Kingdomes 2 Surely the first which inhabited any part of this compass were the Medes a people of great antiquity who reach both their original and name from Madai the son of Iapheth for it was not long after the floud that they were subdued by Ninus King of the Assyrians one and t'other Media I mean and Assyria though then they had apart their peculiar governments yet both were but a parcel of this Countrey which is now known by the name of Persia. 3 To Ninus and his successors they continued faithful for many years till the effeminate weakness of Sardanapalus gave opportunity to the ambition of Belochus governour of Babylon and Arbaces of Media to divide his Empire betwixt them which they did in the year of the world three thousand one hundred forty six and then began the Monarchy of the Medes which spread it self through the the greatest part of Asia and for above two hundred years gathered strength till the time of Astiages who dreamed himself out of his Empire as Iustine relates the story 4 Persia propriè dicta from whence this whole Country at last took name was at this time but an obscure Kingdom in respect of what now it is and tributary to the Medes Her Prince was Cambyses the Father of the great Cyrus by Mandanes daughter to Astiages when she was great and expected the time of her deliverance her Father touched with a perplexed dream that she made so much water as would drown all Asia interpreted it that her issue should be the overthrow of his state and therefore delivered the child which was born to her into Harpagus his charge to be destroyed and he to the Kings Herdsman who unawares to Both preserved the guiltless infant so that at last he took revenge upon his cruel Grand-father and laid a foundation for the Persian Monarchy 5 In this attempt his anger wrought him no farther than his enemy for he left the government of Media still to Cyaxares the son of Astyages and afterward married his daughter joyned with him in his conquests and till his death gave him preheminence of title They were both engaged in the taking of Babylon slaughter of Baltazar and destruction of the Chaldâ—ans The Scripture gives this victory to Darius Medus who as most hold was no other than Cyaxares and he only named as the principal of the two while he yet lived though Cyrus had his part in the action after his Uncles death enjoyed it as his own and made perfect the Monarchy of the Persians in the year of the world 3046. 6 About thrity seven years after the succession was broke for want of lawful heirs to Cambyses their second King and therefore their Princes consulted to salute him whose Horse first neighed at a set meeting upon the Court green before the Sun-rising Darius Histaspes was one and by the subtiliy of his Horse-keeper carried the Crown for the night before in the same ground he had coupled a Mare with the Horse that his Master should ride which when the lustful Steed missed the next morning being full of spirit no sooner had he set footing upon the place but with much eagerness he snuffed and neighed after his Mare and gave the quue to the other Princes to proclaim Darius King of the Persians This was he whom the Scripture calls Ahasuerus he was Hâ—sters husband 7 Thus is the Empire now setled and entailed by descent after him to that famous Xerxes who made war upon Greece with an incredible Army joyned Asia to Europe with a bridge and dammed up Hellespont with his Navy yet was at last vanquished by four thousand at Thermopyle and after by Themistocles forced to make his flight in a small boat towards his own Countrey contemned of his subjects and within a few years slain in his Palace by Artabanus His immediate successour was Artaxerxes Lengimanus who sent the Prophet Esdras to re-edifie the Temple and so on to Darius the last Persian of that course who was ost vanquished by Alexander the Great and left the Monarchy of the world to the Macedonians After the death of their victorious Captain it was divided among many of the most potent Princes of Greece 8 But when the Persians saw the force of their enemy thus severed they began to conceive a hope of recovering their liberty and so they did indeed under the conduct and command of the Parthian Arsaces but. found themselves little bettered in their condition as being now become new slaves to a more harsh tyrant and therefore in the year two hundred twenty eight after the Incarnation they made a second attempt to quit themselves from the Parthians they took their time when their Masters were sore afficted with a strong enemy from Rome which had broke their Forces to their hands so that by the admirable prowess of another Artaxerxes they made good their Conquest upon the Parthians and adventured so far with the Romans themselves that their name began to grow terrible and the Emperour Constantine forced to fortifie his Provinces which lay towards the East and his might be some cause too why he removed his seat to Constantinopolis 9 After this fell into the hands of the Saracenical Caliphs in the year six hundred thirty four and to the Turks in the year one hundred and thirty next to the Tartars and so again to the Parthians by the help of Gempsas who redeemed both his own and this from the Tartarian and briefly after many turns it became the possession of Ismaâ—l Sophy of Persia whose race continues it to this day 10 The bounds of this Empire on the North are the Caspian Sea and the River Oxus on the South the Sinus Persicus and the Maâ—e Indicum heretofore called Rubrum on the West the Turkish confines as far as the River Tigris and the lake Giocho on the East the River Indus and the Kingdom of
Cambaia a spacious Land it is and contains from East to West 38 degrees and about 20 from the North to South 11 This variety of distance in respect of the Heavens must needs cause as much difference in the qualities of her several Regions In some places there is that fertility which makes her equal to any part of Asia in others again she is so barren unfruitful and unprofitable that the Land is left waste as being not able to nourish an Inhabitant Ora maritima saith Quadus aestuosa est ac ventosa fructuum inops praeterquam palmarum mediterranea regio Campestris est omnium ferax pecorumque optima nutrix stuminibus lacubus plena Maxime autem suppeditat Araxes plurimas commoditates It abounds much with metals and stones of great price 12 The ancient Persians were warlike and ambitious of rule for not content with their own which they freely posses in Asia they attempted the nearest parts of Africa and Europe which cost them the first fall from their Monarchy Nec enim petituri Macedones Persidem vide bantur in priores Persae Graeciam provocassent faith Vadianus Their customes are most of them superstitious but they held nothing almost in so great reverence as water it might not lawfully be soyled so much as with a soul hand but to piss or cast rubbish or a dead carcass into the Rivers was a kind of Sacriledge They had many Wives and more Concubines for they were exceeding desirous of increase and great rewards were appointed by their King himself for him that could most augment the number of his subjects in one year They seldome entred into any consultation of State till they had well armed themselves with drink for then they thought they should be more free to speak what they most thought To spit or laugh before their Prince was a crime well nigh unpardonable some say that they bury not their dead but cast them forth to be devoured by wild beasts and thought him most happy which was soonest torn to mammock the rest their friends bewailed as such who had lived impurely and were therefore by this sign declared worthy of hell only without any redemption 13 Their Philosophers were called Magi and studied principally the art of fore-telling things to come from whence we have our tearm of Magick and usurp the word only in the worse sense whereas questionless it was no other with them than the Greeks Philosophy Philosophi or Sapientes with the Latines for it is by most thought that such were those good Magi which came from the East to worship Christ and Saint Chrysostome directly names Persia to be that East from whence they were led by the Star 14 They have now put off most of their antique barbarism and are become good Politicians excellent Warriour sgreat Scholars especially in Astrology Physick and Poetry Those which apply themselves to Mechanick trades are not inferiour to any almost in our quarter they deal most in making of Silks which they send into all the Eastern Countries in great abundance They are mild and courteous to Strangers yet jealous of their Wives which for the most part are very fair and richly attired not withstanding their affection to them usque ad insanam Zelotypiam yet are they much addicted to that beastly sin of the Turks and have their Stews on purpose whither they resort without controul or shame Their language is elegant and in use in most of those Eastern Countries The Christian Religion was once planted here both by Saint Thomas and Saint Andrew yet are they now fallen to Mahametism and differ but as Schismaticks from the Turks which occasioneth much hatred and perpetual war betwixt them 15 The Regions which belong to the Empire of Perfia are 1 Persii 2 Media 3 Assyria 4 Susâ—ina 5 Mesopotamia 6 Parthia 7 Hyrcania 8 Bactriana 9 Parapomissus 10 Aria 11 Drangiana 12 Gedrosia 13 Carmania and 14 Ormus 16 Persis had her name from Perseus which came hither out of Greece and this gives it to the whole Empire It is now called Faâ—st or Farsâ—stâ—n and was heretofore Panchaia It lieth betwixt Media on the North and the Sinus Persicus on her South on her West Susiana and East Carmania Her Metropolis is Siras once Persepolâ—s and is built toward the mid land near the River Araxis it was surprized by Alexander and many thousand talents of gold sent into Greece with other rich spoâ—l and trophies of Victories which the Persians had before gotten from most parts of the then known world Upon the Sea-coast stands Cyrus a City which was built by their first absolute Monarch and called by the Inhabitants Grechaia It was the Bishop seat of the learned Theodoret who lived here about the year 450 and in this Region is Laodicea built by Antiochus and Passagarda where Cyrus had his Sepulchre 17 2 Media now Servania on the North of Persis and South of the Caspian Sea hath Armenia major and Assyria on her West and on her East Parthia and Hyrcania It was before Cyrus the seat of the Empire and mother to a warlike potent Nation Their Kings had many wives seldome fewer than seven and their women thought it a great calamity to have less than five husbands In this stands the Territory of Tauris which was called by our ancients Erbathana and doth stand some eight dayes journey from the Hyrcinian Sea it is rich and populous and was the seat of the Sophies till it was removed to Casbin which lieth somewhat more South Betwixt both stands the City Turcoman and elsewhere in this Province are many others dispersed of good note especially Suliana Symmachia Nassinum Ardovil Marant and Saucazan c. 18 3 Assyria now Arzeram on the West of Media South of Armenia North of Susiania and East of Mesopotamia it was the seat of Ninus his Kingdome lost by Sardanapalus and here stands the most famous City Nineveh near the River Tigris larger than Babylon containing full threescore miles in compass for the community which the Babylonians had with them in course of government they were oft times promiscuously used by Historians both had this custome to sell their Virgins which were fair and most desired and tender the price into the common treasury The homelier sort were placed in marriage with that money to those which would accept of them for gain at least if not for beauty They were much addicted to Astrology and were questionless led to it by the opportunity of their situation which gives them a more perfect view of the Heavens and several course of the Planets than any other part of the world besides 19 4 Susiana now Cuceston seems to have her name from Cus upon the South of Assyria West of Persia East of Babylonia and North of the Persick bay It is severed by Pliny from Elemauss the great by the River Euleus of whose waters only the Persian Kings were wont to drink as being more sweet and pure than any other
out of Polonia Russia Lituania Walachia and part of Muscovia 13 Asiatica or Tartaria deserta Muâ—covitica differs not much from the ancient Sarmatia Asâ—â—tica which in Ptolomy's description is bounded on the West with the River Tanais and Palus Maeotis on the East with Scythia intra Imaum on the North with the Montes Hyperborei and on the South with the mountains Coran and Caucasus The Inhabitants live in Hordes as the rest do which remove often and direct their wandring course by observing the Pole-star In this too their Hordes have divisions and are known by several names The chief is Zavell which for the most part lies betwixt the Rivers Volga and Layich and in regard it is as it were the Mother Horde to the rest it was called magna Horda and her Emperour Vlacham magnus dominus for so he was and had full power of a Prince till they were subdued by the Precopenâ—es in the year one thousand five hundred six and after by Basilius Duke of Moscovia Next to this are the Casanenses which have their chief City Casan upon the River Velga near the confines of Muscovia It was once an entire government to it self but in the year one thousand five hundred fifty one after many victories and revolts it was fully and irrecoverably vanpuisht and made an addition to the Duke of Muscovia's title The Inhabitants here are somewhat more ingenious than the Precopenses they till their ground and in some places build houses and practise Merchandise with the Turks and Moscovites Not much unlike to these are the Astrocâ—anenses situate toward the Mare Caspium and have their name from the rich Metropolis Astrachan twenty Italian miles distant from the mouth of Volga both they and it were subdued in the year one thousand four hundred ninety four by the Duke of Muscovia Besides these there are many other wild Hordes of Tartars Of the Nohaicenses Thumenenses Scâ—ibaschienses Casachienses Astnichanenses Bascâ—irdi Kirgessi Molgamozani These last strange Idolaters of the Sun and a piece of a red clout hung up before them upon a pole They live in Caves and feed for the most part upon such creatures as creep upon the ground some of them are Anthropophagi And hereabouts is the great Lake called Kvtay 14 Tartaria Antiqua the ancient seat of the Tartars and Kingdom of Magog when both the first Inhabitant was placed by the Son of Iapheth and when these last Tartars entred under the Command of Chinchis It was the utmost portion of the Tartarian Empire to the frozen Seas on her North the Scythian on the East and the mare de Annian for it contains many disperst Hordes all almost subject to the great Cham of Cathai In the most Northern tract which strikes into the Sea beyond the Polar circle dwell the Dani Neptalitae Mecriti c. more South-ward the Kingdom of Tabor and the vast desart Caraecoranum and the Mount Altay the place of burial for the Tartarian Emperours Toward the East Seas and near the Promontory of Tabin are the Regions of Arzaret which some think to be the very place first possest by the remnant of the ten Captive Tribes and Annian and Argon and Tenduch and Mongal and many other whose people live after the antique manner in tents moveable some few Cities they have poorly built and as rudely customed Among other incivilities they have this fashion to prostitute their wives and sisters to such guests as they would entertain most friendly and when it was once forbad by their great Cham they recovered it again with much suit and solemn protestation that they had not thrived since it was laid aside The ground bâ—ings forth good store of especial good Rhubarb 15 Zagathai the same with Scythiaintra Imaum and is bounded upon the West with the mare Caspium upon the East with the Desart as far as Lop upon the North with the River Iaxartus and upon the South with the Mount Caucasus It hath the name from their Prince brother to theâ—r great Cham and contains in it these several Provinces 1 Zagatai where Tamberlane was born and first bare rule in the City Sarmachand a place enrâ—cht by his victories and memorable for the death of Clytus slain by Alexander in his drunken fury The seat of the Governour is in Bochara another town of the best note here 2 Bactria now Coccazzan the Inhabitants were led by â—essus which â—lew Darius and the first King was Zoroastes in the time of Ninus the Assyrian and twice tried the fortune of war with him but was at last vanquished and his Kingdom made a Province to the Monarchy In several ages it hath been tossed into the hands of divers States among the rest the Romans had it once in their possession at which time the Inhabitants received knowledge of the truth from the mouth of Saint Thomas but have lost it since by the tyranny of the Sarazens and Tartars 3 Sogdiana on the North of Bactria where Gâ—opolis stood built for a Fort against the Scythians and standing to the time of Alexander who battered it to the ground 4 Margiana and 5 Turchestan East of the Mare Caspium and was the sâ—at of the Turks before they brake into Armenia 16 Cathaie the same with Scythia extra Imaum and is the Empire of the great C ham of the Tartars and true progeny of Chinchis It is compassed almost with mountains and deserts and is divided from China only by a great wall on the South The soyl is exceeding fertile and the people far more civil than in the other parts of Tartaria Her Provinces are 1 Cathaie whâ—ch is supposed to be the Antique seat of the Seres and is therefore called Regio Serica For it sends forth excellent Silks Stuffs and Chamlets and other rare commodities which equalize her at least in her own esteem to the best parts of Europe Her Metropolis is Cambelu twenty eight miles in compass besides the Suburbs built four square by the River Polysangus and enricht from India China and other Regions with all sorts of Merchandise Here their great Cham lives but is buried at the Mount Altay and is conveyed thither by a strong guard which kills all they meet in the way and commands them to serve their Lord in the other world Maginus reports from Marcus Polus that while he was in Cathai ten thousand persons lost their lives upon one such occasion 2 Tangut which they say had the Art of Printing many hundred years before it was known among us 3 Camul 4 Tanifu 5 Tebet not much differing either from themselves or the other parts of Tartaria which belong to the Kingdom of Carthaie FINIS The Description of Virginia VIRGINIA now Properly so called and which is here peculiarly to be described is is the most Southern part of that tract of Land which at its first discovery namely by the two Cabots and after them Iohn Vâ—razzano a Florentine though afterwards more distinctly by others was all comprehended by
Novogardia and whose primary City of the same name was besieged in vain by Steven King of Poland with an Army of 10000 men One remarkable thing is reported of this Countrey namely that the Cattel of what coloured hair soever that are brought into it after a short while turn perfectly white The Volsks or people of this Countrey have a Language peculiar to themselves 21 Corelia a Province separated toward the East with a long tract of Hills from Finland its chief Towns are Corelâ—burgh according to the name of the Province and Nordenburg seated at the entrance of the River Warfuga into St. Nicholas-Bay besides Hexholm in possession of the Swedish King to whom therefore as Lord of Finland this Province is tributary 22 Biarmia or West-Lapland for it is accounted a part of Lapland though subject to the Great Duke since the people of this Countrey called Dikilâ—ppâ— are a sort of wild Laplanders Tude and barbarous without setled habitations in Towns or Cities but living most in Caves some in scattered sheds toward the Sea-side withal bruitish Idolaters but performing strange things by sorcery 23 Bieleiezioro a Dukedom increasing the Titles of the Czar or Great Duke It is named from the Lake Biolisero or the White Lake on which it is situated extending 36 German miles in length and as many in bredth This Countrey is almost all over fenny and full of woods 24 25 26 and 27 Four Provinces comprehended in a vast Promontory which lying on the other side of the Bay of Granvick or St. Nicholas over against Biarmia shoots Northward into the Arctick Region all won from the Tartars of late years to the Russian Empire namely Petzora with its chief Town so nam'd from the River on which it is situate near its influx into the Sea and girdled with a parcel ridge of those Hills called Hâ—perborei Condora more Northward whose chief Town is Pustozera so calâ—ed from the Lake Ozera near which it stands Obdora lying on each side of the River ob from whence it is so nam'd Iugria between the Provinces of Petzora and Duina the original habitation as some Writers affirm of the Pannonians or Hungarjans as is conjectured from the resemblance of the Language or as others say of the ancient Iaâ—yges often mentionâ—d in History 28 wiathca a barren Countrey and much taken up with large woods lying beyond tâ—e River Cammâ— Eastward taken from the Tartar by the Great Duke Basilius yet still inhabited according to the Tartarian manner of Hoords and movable Habitations excepting one City built by the Moscovites since their taking of this Countrey whereof it bears the name serving as a Fortress being garrison'd to deâ—end it against those from whom they took it but that which hath given greatest advantage to the Russian over the Tartar hath been the taking of 29 Casan and 30 Astracan heretofore two Potent Kingdoms of Tartaria Deserta from the Nothacensian Tartars They were first conquered by Bâ—silius but revolting totally subdued about the year 1553 by Iohn Vasilovich annex'd to the Russian Empire and give Royal addition to the Style of the Czar Homonymous with these two Kingdoms are their Capital Cities besides which there are most taken notice of in Casan the Cities Sâ—iatski 20 versts from the City that is within a fourth part so many Italian miles Tetus 120 versts distant Samara 350. Soratof as many from Samara In the Kingdom of Astacan Zarisa 350 versts beyond Saratof towards Astracan Tzornogar 200 versts from Sariza Before the first Conquest of these two Kingdoms by Basilius Casan and the total subduing of them by Ioannes Bâ—sâ—â—ides and the winning of those Provinces before mentioned The Tartarian yoke was shâ—ken off by Iohn the third before whose time the Russians were so slavishly tributary to the Tartars that the Czar was obliged once a year to feed an Horse of the Cham's which was kept at Mosco for the purpose with Oats out of his own Cap. On the Northern or frozen Ocean there lie two Islands towards the Coast of Russia and therefore supposed to belong to the Russian Empire viz. Nova Zembla and Willoughby's Island so called as being first discovered in the year 1553 by Sir Hugh Willoughby who in a second Voyage the next year his Ship being fix'd in the ice was in these Seas frozen to death with all his Company FINIS
whatever else hath its birth from the ground It is well nigh past belief which is reported of the multitude of Bees such as yield more Honey and Wax than the people can find room for They need here neither Art nor care of the good Huswife to order their Hives but naturally are their own Guardians and provide so diligently for their own safety within the bulks of trees that they easily pass over the hardest winter without hurt There is store of game both for hunting fowling and fishing In her Forests is seen a kind of wild Horse with an horn like an Harts and the Alces c. Lastly among other good commodities the worst is not her Pitch and Rosin which yield her a large annual revenue 8 Her chief wants proceed from her bleak situation For it is a plain Countrey and shadowed for the most part with Woods very cold and by that means she hath little Oyl and scarce Grapes enough to teach them the use of Wine A great defect among so good drinkers for they have a name for that equal with any part of Germany and that I think gives no ground to the rest of Europe But they make a shift to find themselves play with a kind of Metheglin Gold or Silver here is not much unless about Cracovia and as Maginus saith in Sandomica where there are likewise some Mines found of the Lapis Lazulus perfect Lead and Iron and pieces of Copper Near the Towns of Nochow and Palukie there is extant a kind of Miracle a certain Earth naturally formed up into pots which if you take forth and dry they differ very little by sight from such as are made by hand and serve aptly for the same use 9 The Inhabitants though they had but a wild beginning yet in the more civil parts are of a gentile behaviour to strangers and not iâ—iurious one to the other Theft is a voice not known to the Polands For they dare travel alone long journeys in the depth of Winter with one poor one to draw their sledge in the night times c. and this with more security and less danger than we â—ay walk in our open streets in the dusk of Evening Questionless this special practise of honesty in that kind above other Nations proceeds from an inbred desire which they generally have to be in employment for they are very industrious in their several faculties Those which pretend to Learning addict themselves much to the study of Languages The Latine is familiar to the Gentry as their own and as Maginus reports is used in some Towns by rich and poor as their proper speech They are prodigal both in diet and apparel give much entertainment and keep a large retinue of servants In brief they are as equal to themselves as they are courteous to others For they will not be oppressed by the greatest Potenate either home bred or foreign They are very vallant and meet their enemy with an undaunted courage be they never so much over-born either by number or strength The truth is no Peasant is suffered to bear arms only their Nobility and Gentry of place in their Common wealth such as war not for others only and upon constraint but have somewhat themselves to lose and therefore are ready as well for their own safety as defence of their King and Country to set on upon all assays and raise an incredible number of excellent Horse well manned almost in an instant For they are kept in continual motion by the Muscovite 10 They have a good mind to Religion but cannot fasten upon any one to their liking and therefore they will try all Christians they have been ever since the year 965. but from that time they have scarce slipt any error schisme or heresie which hath crept into the Church Here are Iesuites and others of the Romish Sects Here are Lutherans and Calvinists and Arrians and Anabaptists and Anti-trinitarians none allowed but all tollerated and indeed Poland had the seniority of Amsterdam for that old saying That if a man had lost his Religion here he might find it They have one ancient custome in their Churches which methinks may well interpret our standing up at rehearsal of the Creed when the Gospel is reading the Nobility and Gentry unsheath their Swords and stand as it were prepared to defend it with their lives against any which dare violate it 11 Their King is chosen by the general States and is for the most part some great Warriour of their neighbouring Princes For they have no peace on their East limit with Muscovites and Tartars but what they make with the Sword The Laws are only temporary Statutes there are none fundamental But when the King hath any great design in behalf of the Common wealth he assembles a Councel of the Nobility to assist him His Revenues coming in are thought to be about six hundred thousand Crowns and each quarter of his Kingdom maintains his expence for one quarter of the year Their first King was Boeslaus crowned by Otho 3. in the year 1001. But the Regal dignity was lost again to Boleslaus the Bold who began his Reign 1078. but was deposed by the Pope and no other suffered to take up the Scepter and rule by the name of King till the year 1295. The first of the second course was Primastaus the second Duke of Poland and Pomerania Since whose time there hath been no breach to this day 12 The chief Provinces of the Kingdome of Poland as they lye from her West to East are 1 Pomerania 2 The Dukedoms of Ozwits and Zator 3 Polonia 4 Prussia 5 Râ—a nigra 6 Samiogitia 7 Massoria 8 Livonia 9 Podlassia 10 Lituania 11 Volhinia 12 Podolia 13 The first is Pomerania bounded on the North with the Baltick Ocean on the West with Germany and it is accounted by some a Province of the Empire as we have ordered in our description But in regard the greatest part is subject to the King of Poland I hope I shall wrong neither to give both their due and reckon it as well to this government since it hath an equal if not a greater title to the rule though not to the Inhabitants for they are most Germans It is a plain Country but exceeding fertile and rich in all commodities which any other part affords flourisheth with forty Cities which are fenced round either with the Sea or ditches answerable for safety Her chief stands upon the shore for it is by nature so well guarded from the violence of the Sea that they need fear no inundation but yet have a very easie and secure entrance for ships Along the Coast stand Coberg Camin Costin Gribswald c. In the up-Land Stetinum the Meâ—ropolis Newgard Lemburg c. The people were harsh persecutors of the Church of Christ till the year 1122. 2 The two Dukedoms of Oswittes and Zator by Silesia in the West bounds of this Kingdom They were heretofore sui juris but
now belongs to this government the first since the year 1454. in the time of Casimirus and the last was brought under by Sigismond the first about an hundred years after 3 14 Polonia is divided into the greater and less The greater Poland is more Northern and joyns upon Pomerania and Prussia It was therefore called the greater because here Lechius first planted himself and built the City Guesna which was the Regal seat till it was translated to Cracovia in the lesser Poland 1320. yet at this day is her Archbishop Primate of the Kingdom during an interregnum hath the power of a Prince and Crowns the new King at his Inauguration Polonia the less is more Southern lies hard upon Russia and Hungary It is now esteemed the more noble part of this Province For here stands the Metropolis Cracovia on the banks of Vistula and Lublin and other of the best note in Poland 4 15 Prussia Spruce on the East of Pomerania hath the Baltick Seas on the Norâ—â— and Massoriâ— on the South and on her own East Lituania It is now a Dukedome and contains Cities of note Danâ—zike where Keckerman professed and Mons Regus Regimont Maneburg Heilsperge Câ—lne c. Her chief commodity is Leather much used heretofore to make Ierkins where none more brave than the younker that could compass a Leather Ierkin Here is likewise great store of Amber a juyco growing like a Corral in a Mountain of the North Sea which is clean covered with water and cast up by violence of the waves into their Havens 5 Russia nigra on the East and South of Poland the less and the North of Hungary and West of Podolia and had her name as some suppose first Ruthenia and Russia which in the Ruthen tongue signifies no other than a dispersed Nation For so were the Russians through all Sarmatia Europaea and a part of the Asiatick from the frozen Ocean to the Mediterrâ—neum and the Sinus Adriaticus and the Pontus Euxinus and the Mare Balticum all that used the Sclavonian tongue and professed Christ after the manner of the Greeks were called Russi and Luthenâ— But the Province here meant is only the South Tract as much as belongs to the King of Poland and is called Nigra to distinguish it from Muscovia or Russia Alba. The people are valiant and in their fights use weapons of exceeding weight and bigness Her Prince is eâ—tituled Duke the name of King they will not endure This Province contains the Territories Leopoliensis with her chief city Leopolis Lunt-burg a fair Town and an Arch bishop See And the Territories Haliciensis â—elzensis Praemifliensis c. 6 16 Samogitia toward the North and her West hath the Sinus Balticus North East Livora It is in length fifty miles very cold compassed in with Woods and Rivers Her principal Town is Camâ—a But not that nor any other is very famous for Lordly buildings the fairest are but sheds in respect of other Countries The Peasants are truly so indeed for they reckon themselves but little better than their Cattel live under the same roof with them without any partition or nice loathing of their nastiness a life fit enough for such a people for they are yet most of them gross Ido laters and are oft times met in their Woods with horrid visions and are strangely cozened by the Devil with a belief that they can prophecy The silly blasphemers nourish in their house a poor snake like themselves gathered out of some ditch and call it their god worship it with great fear and reverence and sacrifice once in a year I Octob. to their devil but by the name of their god Ziem enike The better sort are Christians of a comely portraiture and good feature valiant and ready to take Arms when occasion calls them Their greatest plenty is of Honey which they gather ready made to their hands in their hollow trees 17 Massoria on the South of Prussia and North of Polonia and Russia and the East of either Poland West of Lituania She had her name from a former Duke which was ejected by Casimirus where it had a peculiar Prince of its own it belonged to the second son of the Kings of Poland but in the year 1526 after the untimely death of Iohn and Starislaus heirs to this State it became a peculiar to the Crown of Poland Her chief City is Marscoria which hath many under her all use the same speech and customes with the other Polonians 8 Livonia to the North bounded with Finland on the South with Lituania on the West with the Baltick Sea and on the East with Muscovie It is a large Province carries in breadth one hundred and sixty miles and in length five hundred It is Fenny and Woody but yet hath Corn and Fruit plenty Cattel good store wild and tame especially Horses They have Honey Wax c. enough to exchange with other Countries for Wine and Oyl For this yields little or none It became Christian one thousand two hundred Her chief Towns are Riga Rivalia Derpe and Venda About some twelve miles from the Continent is the Isle of Osel 9. 18 Podlussia on the East of Massoria and West of Lituania was joyned to Poland one thousand five hundred sixty nine The Inhabitants are Massorites Russians and Polands Her chief Towns are Titock sin a Fort where the Kings Treasure is kept Beisco and Russin In this the King hath a fair Court furnisht magnificently both for state and pleasure 10 Lituania on the East of Poland and South of Livonia on the West of Muscovia and North of Podolia The air is very unnatural and by that means the creatures thereof every kind are very small and their wants great of Corn Wine Salt c. The people are of a slavish disposition and live thereafter poor and basely The women have a freedom by custome to keep many Stallions which their Husbands love us themselves and call them their adjutories But the men may by no means play false Their condemned persons be it to death must execute themselves or be tormented till they expire They became Christians 〈◊〉 as they are one thousand three hundred eighty six The principal Cities are Vilna 〈◊〉 and Brestia and Norigredum a City by report larger than Rome 19 11 Volhinia lieth betwixt Lituania Padolia and Russia a plentiful Region and breeds hardy Souldiers They live as Russians use the same speech and customes Her chief Towns are Kioria and Lircassia upon the edge of Boristhenes 12 Podoâ—ia is on the South of Lituania East of Poland and North of the River Niester or Boristhenes as it runs from his head to the Pontus Euxinus and on the West of Russia It affords great plenty it seems three Harvests they say of one sowing It is pity saith Vadianus it should be left desert as in manner it is unless here and there a Village Her chief is Camiensen the only one able to return the Turks and Tartars with the loss as it