the year 1650. Nov. 30. being St. Andrews day about Sun-rising the Sky opened in a dreadful manner in the South west over Standish a Town 5 miles from Glocester and there appeared a terrible fiery Sword shaking with the Hilt upward toward the Heavens and the point downward to the Earth the Hilt seemed to be blew the Sword of a great length moving to and fro and coming lower toward the Earth there was a long flame of fire toward the point sparkling and flaming in a fearful manner to the great astonishment of the Spectators who were many at last the Heavens closing the Sword vanished and the fire fell to the Earth and ran upon the ground this saith Mr. Clark I had from an Eye-witness Glocester is the chief City of this County and lieth stretched out in length over Sâ—â—â—rn The Cathedral Church is a beautiful building conâ—â—sting of a continued window work but hath the loudest praises from the whispering place within which is thus described by Sir Francis Bacon There is a Church at Glocester saith he and as I have heard the like is in some other Places where if you speak against a Wall softly another shall hear your voice better a great way off than near at hand I suppose there is soâ— Vault or Hollow or Isle behind the wall and some passage to it toward the further end of that wall against which you speak so as the voice of him that speaketh slideth along the wall and then entreth at some passage and communicateth with the air of the hollow for it is somewhat preserved by the plain wall but that is too weak to give an audible sound till it hath communicated with the back air In this Church lies the unfortunate Robert Duke of Normandy eldest Son to William the Conqueror in a painted wooden Tomb in the midst of the Quire whose Eyes were pluckt out in Cardiff Castle wherein he was kept Prisoner 26 years Here also the unhappy King Edward 2. lies buried under a Monument of Alabaster who in the 20 year of his Reign was deposed by Parliament who sitting at London sent several Bishops Lords and Gentlemen in the name of the body of the State if that may be called a body which then had no head there to Kenelworth Castle to the King to whom one of the Commissioners represented That the Commonweal had received such irreconcilable dislikes of his Government the pa ticulars whereof had been opened in the General Assembly at London that they were resolved never to endure he should be King any longer that notwithstanding these dislikes had not extended themselves so far as for his sake to exclude his issue but that with universal Applause and Joy the Commonweal had in Parliament Elected his eldest Son the Lord Edward for King that it would be a very acceptable thing to God if he did willingly give over an Earthly Kingdom for the common good and quiet of his Country which they said could not otherwise be secured that yet his honour would be never the less after his Resignation than it was before only the Commonweal would never suffer him to Reign any longer and finally they presumed to tell him That unless he did freely of himself renounce his Crown and Scepter the People would neither endure him nor any of his Children for their Soveraign but disclaiming all homage and fealty would elect some other tâ— be their King who should be of another Blood and Family The King having heard their Message fell down as half dead and being somewhat recovered we cannot say to himself but to a sense of his misery brake forth into Sighs and Tears And being saith Sir Thomas de la More more ready to sacrifice his body for Christs cause than once to behold the disinheriting of his Sons or to be the occasion of the perpetual disturbance of the Kingdom as knowing saith he that a good Shepheard should give his life for his Flock made answer at last to this effect That he knew that for his many sins he was fallen into this Calamity and therefore had the less cause to take it grievously that he was very sorry that the People of the Kingdom were so exasperated against him as that they should utterly abhor his having any longer the Rule and Soveraignty over them he therefore besought all that were present to forgive spare him being so afflicted that yet it was greatly to his good pleasure and liking seeing it could be no otherwise on his own behalf that his eldest Son was so gracious in their sight and therefore he gave them thanks for chusing him to be their King This being said they proceeded to the short Ceremonies of his Resignation which consisted principally in the surrender of his Diadem and other Ensigns of Majesty for the use of his Son the new King Edward being thus unkinged the Ambassadors returned joyfully back to the Parliament at London with the resigned Ensigns and an account of their imployment but he now deprived of his Royal Crown and Dignity remained with his Kinsman Henry E. of Leicester wanting nothing but liberty being shut up like a Monk but his cruel Wife Q. Isabel who had been one of the greatest Instruments of his misfortune being told by her wicked Counsellor Adam Torleton Bishop of Hereford that the Earl was too kind to him ordered Thomas Gourney and John Martravers to take the King into their Custody who carried him from Kenelworth to Coâ—â—e Castle and then to Bristow where they shut him in the Castle till upon discovery of a design laid to get him out and send him beyond Sea they conveyed him to Berkly Castle by the way these Villains exercised divers Cruelties towards him not permitting him to ride but by night that he might not be seen of any they forced him to ride bare headed and when he would have slept they hindred him neither would give him such meat as he could eat but such as he most loathed they contradicted him in whatever he said persuading him he was mad and endeavoured by all manner of ways to break his heart yea they often gave him Poyson in his drink but the strength of his nature overcame it one of them made a Crown of Hay and put it on his head the rest made a scorn and May-game of him they were afraid any of his Friends should meet him and therefore to prevent his being known they resolved to cut off both his hair and beard and coming by a little Ditch they commanded him to come off his Horse and be shaven then setting him on a Mole-hill a Barber came to shave him with a bason of cold water taken out of the Ditch telling him That must serve at present To whom the miserable King looking sternly upon him answered That whether they would or no he would have warm water for his beard and therewithal to make good his word he presently shed forth a shower of Tears at length he was brought to
be And lie in mine own Ashes as you see Verlam I was what boots it that I was Since now I am but weeds and wastful grass And another English Poet writes thus in the name of Watling one of the 4 Imperial Highways Thou saw'st when Verlam once her head aloft did rear Which in her Cinders now lies sadly buried here With Alabaster Tuch and Porphyry adorn'd When well near in her pride great Troynovant she scorn'd A nameless Author hath writ thus upon this forgotten City Stay thy foot that passest by And a wonder here descry Churches that inter'd the dead Here themselves are buried Houses where men slept and wak't Here in Ashes underrak't And to the Poet to allude Here is Corn where once Troy stood Or if you the Truth would have Here 's a City in a Grave A wonder Reader think it then That Cities thus should die like men And yet a wonder think it none For many Cities thus are gone Out of the ruines of this City rose the fair Town of St. Albans remarkable for bringing forth Alban the Martyr for about the year of Christ 180. King Lucius reigned in Brittain who hearing of the Miracles and Wonders done by the Christians in divers places sent Letters to Eleutherius Bishop of Rome desiring to receive the Christian Faith the good Bishop being glad of this request sent him two Preachers Faganus and Damianus by whose faithful endeavours it pleased God the King and many of his People were Converted and Baptized the Temples of Idols and other Monuments of Gentilism were subverted thus the true Religion increased and Superstition and Idolatry decreased many Bishops being ordained and set over the People and all things setled in good order after which this religious King sent again to Eleutherius for the Roman Laws according to which he desired to govern his People to which request Eleutherius returned this answer That for the Roman and Imperial Laws they might have their defects but the Law of God could not and thereupon advised him to study the Scriptures and out of them by the Council of his Realm to enact Laws for the Government of his Kingdom For saith he You are Gods Vicar in your Kingdom and therefore it behoves you to unite your People to call them to the Faith and Service of Jesus Christ to cherish and maintain them to rule and govern them and to defend them from all such as would do them wrong c. The Christian Faith thus received by the Brittains flourished here 216 years till the coming of the Saxons But the Ramans continuing Heathens raised much trouble against the Professors thereof especially after the death of Lucius who dying without 〈◊〉 the Barons and Nobles disagreeing about a Successor the Romans stepped in and took the Crown into their hands whereupon great ruine and misery ensued to the Kingdom for sometimes the Idolatrous Romans reigned and sometimes the Christian Brittains according to the fortune of the War The first remarkable Persecution which we hear of was under Dioclesian and Maximi◠when the Heathens raged so extreamly that in Brittany and some other Places there are reckoned Seventeen Thousand Martyrs who suffered for the name of Christ In this Persecution a famous Preacher called Amphibolus being searcht for to be Imprisoned he to escape the fury of his Persecutors hid himself in the House of Alban aforementioned who was a Citizen of Verulam now St. Albans this Alban was at that time a Heathen but observing Amphibolus to continue day and night in watching and Prayer he began to be convinced and to hearken to the Divine Instructions and Exhortations of this good man and forsaking Idolatry he became a very sincere Christian The Enemy having intelligence that this Minister was in his house Soldiers were ordered to search for him which Alban having notice of he apparelled himself in the cloths of Amphibolus and offered himself to the Souldiers who bound him and carried him before the Judge who was at that time sacrificing to his Idols The Judge perceiving the business said Since thou hadst rather convey away the Rebel and Traytor to our Gods than deliver him up to undergo due punishment for his blaspheming our Deities look therefore what Torments he should have suffered if he had been taken the same shalt thou endure if thou refuse to practise the Rights of our Religion Alban was regardless of these Threats and being replenished with Divine Fortitude boldly told the Judge to his face That he would not obey his Commandment Then said the Judge Of what House and Stock art thou Alban answered It is no matter of what stock I am but if thou desirest to know my Religion be it known unto thee that I am a Christian and that I imploy my self in the exercise of their Holy Religion The Judge then demanded his name my Parents said he named me Alban And I Honour and Worship the True living God who made all things of nothing The Judge being inraged hereat said If thou desirest to prolong thy life come and Sacrifice to our Gods Alban answered The Sacrifice you offer to the Devil profits you nothing but rather purchaseth for you eternal pains in Hell-fire The Judge was still more incensed hereat and commanded the tormentors to beat him thinking stripes might prevail more than words yet Alban continued not only patient but joyful in the midst of all his Torments the Judge perceiving that neither words nor blows would remove him from his Constancy commanded him to be beheaded The Executioner observing his fervent Faith and Prayers fell down at his Feet throwing away the Sword desiring rather to die for him or with him than to do Execution upon him and suffered accordingly whereby he was made a Martyr for that Faith of which he was before a Persecutor The other Officers were astonished and trembled to behold this strange Providence but at last one of them took up the Sword wherewith he cut off the Martyr Albans head In this Town of St. Albans King Offa built a most stately Monastery which we read was upon this occasion In the Year 793 Offa the 11th King of the Mercians took to wife one Quenrid of whom it is recorded that her name was Drida and that she was Kinswoman to the French King Charles the great and was for some Offence banished his Realm being put into a boat without Sail or Tackle and arriving upon the Coasts of England was relieved by Offa who was then a young Nobleman and changed her name to Quenrid of whom he became so much in love that contrary to the Will of his Parents he married her she being of a proud cruel and ambitious Nature as appears by the sequel For Ethelbert King of the East Angles a wise and religious Prince coming to the Court of King Offa being persuaded by his Nobles to desire his Daughter in Marriage was accompanied with a great Train suitable to his Quality but Queen Quenrid envious of his
Berkâ—y Castle where he was courteously received by Thomas Berkly Lord thereof who was allowed a 100 shillings a day for keeping him close Prisoner But Q. Isabel being much troubled that her Husband lived consults again with the wicked Bishop of Hereford pretending that she was much troubled with frightful dreams which presignified that if her Husband should be again restored to his dignity he would burn her for a Traitor or send her into perpetual banishment the Bishop and several other great Men both of the Nobility and Clergy finding themselves likewise equally guilty became uneasy while the King lived and therefore sent chiding Letters to the Keepers pretending they gave the King too much liberty and kept him too high and delicately and withal added this line at the end of the Letter contrived by the Bishop Edwardum occidere nolite timere bonum est To shed King Edwards blood Refuse to fear I count it good Never was the fallacy of pointings or ambiguity of Phrase more mischievously used to the destruction of a King or for the defence of the Contrivers than in this hainous Parricide for it was so craftily contrived in a double sense that both the Keepers might find sufficient warrant and himself might find sufficient excuse the Keepers guessing at the meaning took it in the worst sense and therefore putring the L. Berkly out of the Castle they shut up the King in a close Chamber where with the stinch of dead Carkases laid in the Cellar under him he was almost poysoned of which he made complaint to some Carpenters who worked at his Chamber-window but these wretches perceiving this would not do the work they rushed one night into his Chamber and casting as many heavy bolsters upon him as 15 men could carry they pressed them down hard and not content with that heated an Iron red hot and through a Pipe like a Trumpet thrust it up into his body that no marks of a violent death might be seen but however they were heard for when they were thus doubly murdering him he was heard to roar and cry all the Castle over Gourney and Martravers his Murtherers expecting rewards had the reward of Murtherers for the Queen and Bishop Torlton disavowing the Command threatned to question them for the Kings death whereupon they fled beyond Sea and Gourney after three years being taken in France and sent into England was in the way upon the Sea beheaded Martravers flying into Germany had the grace to repent but lived ever after miserably thus died this unfortunate Prince in 1327 about half a year after his deposing never certainly was any King turned out of a Kingdom in such a manner many Kingdoms have been lost by the chance of War but this was lost before the Dice were cast no blow struck no battle fought done forceably and yet without force violently and yet with consent both parties agreed yet neither pleased for the King was not pleased to leave his Kingdom and the Queen was not pleased to leave him his life though he often declared in his Captivity That nothing grieved him so much as that tâ— Queen his Wife would never be persuaded to come and see him and swore very devoutly That from the first time he saw he face he could never like of any other Woman by which it appears that neither Gaveston nor the Spencers his wicked Favourites had so far debauched him as to make him false to his Bed or disloyal to his Queen but she was hardened against him thinking it not safe to leave him a part by which he might afterward recover the whole which was the chief occasion of his coming to this miserable end The County of Glocester is divided into 30 Hundreds wherein are 26 Market Towns 208 Parish Churches and is in the Diocess of Glocester out of it are elected 8 Parliament Men. For the County 2 for the City of Glocester 2 Tewksbury 2 Cirencester 2. HANTSHIRE hath Berkshire on the North Surry and Sussex on the East the Sea on the South Dorset and Wiltshire on the West from North to South it is 54 miles and from East to West 30. It is fruitful in Corn plenteous in pasture and for all advantages of the Sea wealthy and happy Wools Cloths and Iron are the general Commodities of this County Winchester is a City which flourished in the time of the Romans and now indifferently peopled and frequented by water it is about a mile and an half in Circuit within the walls which open at 6 Gates and is adorned with magnificent Churches and a Bishops See Dr. Heylin tells us That one of the Principal Orders of Knighthood is that of the round Table instituted by Arthur King of the Brittains and one of the worlds 9 worthies It consisted of 150 Knights whose names are recorded in the History of King Arthur the principal of them were Sir Lancelot Sir Tristram Sir Lamarock Sir Gawin c. all placed at one round Table to avoid quarrels about Priority and Place The round Table hanging in the great Hall of Winchester is falsly called Arthur's round Table it being not of sufficient Antiquity nor containing but 24 Seats In the Year 959. Edgar the Saxon King hearing the Daughter of a Western Duke exceedingly praised for her Beauty he was so inflamed therewith that he presently made a journey into those parts and coming to Andover in this County he commanded the Virgin to be brought to his Bed the Mother being tender of her Daughters honour brought her Maid in the dark to the King who pleased him as well in his lascivious dalliance the morning approaching this late Maid made haste to rise but the King being loth to part so soon with his supposed fair Lady asked her why she made such haste she told him she had a great deal of work to do and that her Lady would be very angry if she did not rise and dispatch it but being kept longer than her time she upon her knees did beseech the King to free her from her angry Mistriss alledging That she who had been imbraced by the King ought not to serve any other The King hereby perceiving the deceit was very angry yet since he could not recall what was past after having severely reproved the deceitful Lady he turned it into a jest but the Girl it seems pleased him so well that he took her for his Concubine whereby she ruled over them who lately commanded her and loved her entirely keeping to her alone till he was married to the fair Elfreda before mentioned This King likewise debauched a Nun named Wolfchild on whom he begat Edith afterward accounted a Saint He committed the like folly with Ethelfleda Duke Ordmars Daughter who for her extraordinary beauty was called The White on whom he begot his eldest Son Edward for which Mr. Fox affirmeth he did 7 Years Penance enjoyned him by St. Dunstan This Edward succeeded him in the Kingdom at 12 Years old the beginning of whose Reign
Scots and the Lord Darnly began to cool and their unkindness was fomented by one David Risio an Italian Musician and afterward the Queens Secretary who had often secret conference with her when the King might not be admitted this indignity the Lords about the King made him sensible of and thereupon his death was contrived and he was killed in an outer Chamber next the Queen she being then with Child and like by the affright to have miscarried the Earl of Murray base Son to K. James 5. and base Brother to the Queen was the chief instigator of this murther of the foulness of which Fact when the King was sensible he resolved to be revenged upon Murray who having notice thereof prevented it with causing the like to be done to him for soon after the King in a stormy tempestuous night was strangled in his Bed and then cast forth into the Garden and the House immediately blown up with Gunpowder the rumor of this murther being spread abroad common fame laid it upon Morton and Murray and their Confederates Morton and Murray lay it upon the Queen the King thus murthered the Queen was advised by them to Marry James Earl of Bothwell though he was the man that had acted the Murther but upon condition that above all things respect might be had to her young Son and that Bothwell might be legally quitted both from the bonds of his former Marriage and also of the Kings Murther hereupon it is plotted that Bothwell should be brought to the Bar and Morton being his advocate by the sentence of the Judges he is clearly acquitted and then by consent of some of the Nobility he is Married to the Queen being first made Duke of Orkney which bred a suspition in many that the Queen was conscious of the Murther which was the thing the Confederates aimed at by this Marriage for they by all means increased the suspition that they might have the better colour against her and so the very same men who absolved Bothwell and consented to the Marriage now take arms against her as a Delinquent in both forcing her Husband to flee and then seize upon the Queen whom clad in a very homely garment they thrust into Prison in Lochlevyn Queen Elizabeth hearing of it sends Sir Nicholas Throgmorton to expostulate the matter with them who alledged The Queen was subject to no Tribunal under Heaven That no Judge on Earth might call her in question c. They again opposed the peculiar right of that Kingdom and used Buchanans argument in his Treasonable Dialogue That in extraordinary Cases the People have power both to create and to depose their King They then persuaded her to resign the Kingdom which if she refused to do fairly they threatned to question her openly for her incontinent living for the Kings Murther for Tyranny so that through fear She resigned her Kingdom to her young Son James at that time scarce thirteen months old who was five days after anointed and Crowned King and she constituted Murray Vice-Roy during his Minority soon after some of Bothwells Servants were executed for the Kings Murther who cleared the Queen from being concerned in it The Queen having been 11 Months Prisoner afterward made her escape and raised Forces which being unexperienced were soon defeated by Murray whereupon she endeavoured to save her self by flight and travelled 60 Miles in one day and contrary to the advice of her Friends went with a few of her Attendants in a small Bark and landed at Wickington in Cumberland sending Letters to Q. Elizabeth that having made an escape from her insolent and rebellious Subjects she was now come into England upon certain hope of her approved Clemency and therefore humbly desiring that she might be forthwith admitted to her presence Q. Elizabeth sent her Letters of comfort and promised her aid defence according to the equity of her cause but denied her access since she was held guilty of many crimes giving command to have her brought to Carlile as a place of more safety Q. Mary then desired she might depart to some other Country but upon consultation most were of Opinion to have her detained as one taken by right of War and not to be dismissed till she had made satisfaction for assuming the Title of England and for the death of Darnly her Husband who was born one of the Queens Subjects After this many Conspiracies were made to set the Queen of Scots at Liberty The Pope sends out his Bull against Q. Elizabeth freeing her Subjects from all Allegiance to her and the Duke of Norfolk is beheaded upon her account These and many other contrivances and conspiracies seemed very much to indanger the Life of Q. Elizabeth and tended to the Invasion of England whereupon the better to provide for her safety a number of her Subjects the Earl of Leicester being the chief and others of all ranks and conditions enter into an Association wherein they declare That since by Her Majesties Life they and all other Her Majesties Subjects do enjoy inestimable benefit they do by this Writing make manifest their duty for the safety of their Sovereign Lady They then proceed And to that end we and every of us first calling to Witness the name of Almighty God do voluntarily and most willingly hind our selves every one of us to the other jointly and severally in the Band of one firm and Loyal Society and do hereby vow and promise by the Majesty of Almighty God that with our whole Powers Bodies Lives and Goods and with our Children and Servants we and every of us will faithfully serve and humbly obey our said Sovereign L.Q. Elizabeth against all States Dignities and Earthly Powers whatsoever and will as well with our joint and particular Forces during our Lives withstand offend and persue as well by force of Arms as by all other means of revenge all manner of Persons of what state soever they shall be who shall attempt against Her Royal Person c. to the utter extermination of them their Counsellours Aiders and Abettors And if any such wicked attempt against her most Royal Person shall be taken in hand and procured whereby any that have may or shall pretend Title to come to this Crown by the untimely death of Her Majesty so wickedly procured which God for his mercies sake forbid may be avenged we do not only bind our selves jointly and severally never to allow accept or favour any such pretended Successor by whom or for whom any such detestible Act shall be attempted or committed as unworthy of all Government in any Christian Realm or Common-Wealth And do also further vow and protest as we are most bound and that in the presence of the Eternal and Everlasting God to prosecute such Person and Persons to death with our joint or particular forces and to take the utmost revenge upon them that by any means we or any of us can devise and do or cause to be devised and
Air and clean ways it is full of many Gentile Habitations it hath good Box Walnuts Fullers Earth and Corn excellent Tapestry is also used at Moreclack in this County Kingston was formerly the seat of many Kings and Gilford hath been much larger being formerly the Royal Mansion of divers Saxon Monarchs There are two most beautiful Palaces in this Shire Richmond and Nonsuch The Medicinal Waters at Ebsham or Epsum are much frequented which were found out about 1618. upon this occasion one Henry Wicker in a dry Summer and great want of water for Cattle discovered some water standing in the footing of some Beast he at first suspected it to be their Urine but was quickly confuted by the clearness thereof he therefore with his staff digged a square hole about it and so departed returning next day he could hardly find the place in so wide a Common at last he found the hole running over with most clear water which the Cattle though very thirsty would not drink of as having a Mineral Tast It is concluded to run through some veins of Allom and at first was used only for healing outward sores which it performed but since hath been inwardly taken and with good effect in many diseases The convenient distance from London addeth to the reputation of these waters and no wonder if Citizens coming thither from the worst of Smoaks into the best of Airs find in themselves a perfect alteration There is a River in this County which at a place called the Swallow sinketh into the Earth and riseth again some two Miles off near Leatherhead which the Country People say was experimented in a Goose which was put in and came out again alive though without Feathers Nor may we forget a Vault nigh Rygate of very fine sand capable of receiving 500 men which Castle under ground was in ancient time the Mansion of some great Person having several Rooms therein If it be meerly natural it doth curiously imitate Art if purely artificial it doth most lively represent Nature We read that K. Edward 3. that glorious Conqueror after he had reigned 50 Years and 4 Months being in the 60th Year of his Age 1377. fell into his last sickness at Richmond where when he was observed to be drawing on his Concubine Alice Pierce came to his Bed side and took the Royal Rings from his Fingers and leaving him gasping for breath went away The Knights Esquires and Officers of his Court rifled whatever they could and hasted away also only a poor Priest lamenting the Kings Misery that amongst all his Counsellors and servants there was none to assist him in his last Moments entred his Chamber exhorting the King to lift up his Eyes and Hands to God to repent him of his sins and to implore the Mercy of Heaven and its forgiveness the King had before quite lost his Speech but at these words taking strength uttered his mind though imperfectly in these matters and made signs of contrition wherein his voice and speech failed him and scarce pronouncing this word Jesu yielded up the Ghost In 1491. K. Hen. 7. held solemn Justing at Richmond which continued for a Month wherein Sir James Parker running against Mr. Hugh Vaughan by reason of a faulty Helmet he was struck into the month at the first course so that his Tongue was thrust into the hinder part of his Head and died immediately in the place In 1602. Q. Elizabeth feeling some Infirmities of old Age and Sickness retired her self to Richmond at which time as a sad Omen she commanded the Ring to be filed off her Finger wherewith she was solemnly at first inaugurated into the Kingdom and since that time had never taken it off it being grown into the Flesh in such a manner that it could not be drawn off without filing at the beginning of her sickness the Almonds of her Jaws began to swell her Appetite to fail her and she was very melancholy which some imputed to her loss of Essex others because she heard that divers of the Nobility sought the favour of the K. of Scots adoring him as the rising Sun and neglecting her but however a numness seised her and she would discourse with none but Dr. Whitgift A. B. of Canterbury with whom she prayed fervently till her Speech failed her which was a day before her death she being so ill it was thought fit the Secretary and Admiral should go to her and know her mind concerning a Successour to whom she answered My Throne hath been the Throne of Kings I would have no mean Person succeed me The Secretary requesting her to speak more plainly I will said she have a King succeed me and what King but the King of Scots my nearest Kinsman After this the Archbishop exhorting her to think upon God That I do said she nor do my thoughts ever wander from him And when her Tongue no longer served her it was evident by the lifting up of her Hands and Eyes that her thoughts were fixed upon him and so on the 24 of March being the last day of the Year 1602. she yielded up her Soul to God when she had lived 69 Years 6 Months and 7 Days whereof she had reigned 44 Years 4 Months Her Body was embalmed wrapped in Lead and brought to White-Hall from whence April 28. following it was buried at Westminster Abby at which time the City of Westminster was surcharged with a multitude of all sorts of People in the Streets Houses Windows and Leads who came to see the Funeral and when they beheld her statue lying in Royal Robes with a Crown upon her Head there was such a general sighing groaning and weeping as the like hath not been seen nor known in the memory of man neither doth any History mention any People time or state to make the like lamentation for the death of their Soveraign It is said there were 1600 Mourners in black at her Funeral Thomas Cromwell was born at Putney in Surrey his Father was a Blacksmith and therefore could bestow no great matter on his Education yet such was his wit and activity that he made his own Fortune He was in the service of Cardinal Wolsey after whose death he is recommended to K. Henry 8. who finding the quickness of his understanding advised with him in many difficult matters and upon occasion he informed the King how his Princely Authority was abused by the Pope and his Clergy who being sworn to him were afterward dispensed with and sworn anew to the Pope so that he was but half a King c. He also shewed him that the Clergy by their Oath were fallen into a Premunire and their Goods Lands Chattels and Possessions were fallen to the King which he afterward demonstrated to the Bishops to be true who gave the King above an hundred thousand pound for Composition after this by his persuasion the King suppressed all the Abbies and Monasteries in England and commanded the Bible to be Printed and read in the
above 1400 years old they contained the whole History of the Roman Empire from Julius Caesar till after Constantine the great each of the Silver pieces weighed about 7 d. and each of the Gold about 15 or 16 shillings I took some few of the Silver and one of the Gold pieces and sent the rest to the Lady of Robert L. Brook who is Lord of the Town At Shugbury in this County at a place called Barnhill the precious stone Astroites is found in great plenty which being put into Vinegar will move up and down till they have composed themselves into a Triangle At Offchurch was the Palace of Offa the great Mercian King At Lemington though far from the Sea a spring of Salt-Water boileth up and at Newnham is a Fountain whose Waters are very sovereign against the Stone Green-Wounds Ulcers and Impostumes and being drunk with salt loosens but with sugar binds the Body it was found out by one Charles Daws in 1579. who having received a great wound in his Arm by a Hatchet it was perfectly cured in a few days by washing it in this Water one special effect thereof is that it turneth wood into stone Not far from Warwick is Guy Castle where the famous Guy Earl of Warwick after many valorous exploits retired and led an Hermits Life and was at last buried in a Chappel there which remains to this day Michael Drayton the famous English Poet was born at Athelston in this County and died 1621. of whom this Epitaph was made Do pious Marble let thy Readers know What they and what their Children owe To Drayton's name whose sacred Dust We recommend unto thy Trust Protect his memory and preserve his story Remain a lasting Monument of his Glory And when thy Ruines shall disclaim To be the Treasurer of his Name His Name that cannot fade must be An everlasting Monument to thee The County of Warwick is divided into 5 Hundreds wherein are 15 Market Towns 158 Parish Churches and is in the Diocesses of Litchfeild and VVorcester it elects 6 Parliament Men and gives the Title of Earl to Edward L. Rich. WESTMORELAND hath Cumberland on the West and North Lancashire on the South Yorkshire and Durham on the East It is Western Moorish Country from whence it hath its Name The soil thereof for the most part is barren and can hardly be made fruitful by the Industry of the Husbandman Kendal the chief Town hath a very great Trade and Resort with two broad and long streets crossing each other herein are made excellent cloths which are very well esteemed of throughout the Kingdom Places most memorable are Verterae and Appleby famous in the time of the Romans but since very much decayed There is mention but of one Monastery in this County near the River Loder where there is a Spring that Ebbs and Flows many times a day and it is thought that some notable and famous Exploit hath been performed in that place there being many huge stones in the form of Pyramids some 9 Foot high and 14 Foot thick ranged directly on a Line at an equal distance for a Mile together which seems to have been Placed there as a memorial but of what Action there is not the least remembrance At Ambleside near the upper corner of Winander Meer which is a great Water there appears at this day the Ruines of an ancient City which by the Brittish Bricks the Roman Money often there sound by paved High-ways leading to it and other circumstances seems to have been a work of the Romans The Fortress fenced with a Ditch and Rampart was in length 132 Ells and in breadth 8. In the River Can near Kendal are two Waterfals where the Waters descend with so great a downfall as causes a mighty noise from whence the neighbouring Inhabitants prognosticate of the Weather for when that on the North sounds more clear and with a louder Eccho in their Ears they certainly look for fair Weather to follow but when that on the South doth the like they expect foggy Mists and Rain Henry Curwin was born in this County and made by Q. Mary A. B. of Dublin It is observable that though many of the Protestant Clergy in Ireland were imprisoned and much molested yet no one Person of what quality soever did suffer Martyrdom therein and hereon depends a remarkable story which hath been solemnly avouched by the late Reverend Dr. Vsher A. B. of Armagh that about the 3d of Q. Mary a Pursivant was sent with a Commission into Ireland to impower some eminent Persons to proceed with Fire and Fagot against poor Protestants It happened by Divine Providence this Pursivant coming to Chester lodged in the House of a Protestant Inn-keeper who having some secret notice of his business privately took the Commission out of his Cloak-Bag and put the Knave of Clubs in the room of it some Weeks after the Pursivant appeared before the Lords of the Privy Council at Dublin of whom Bishop Curwin was Principal where he produced a Card instead of a pretended Commission for which affront they caused him to be committed to Prison as supposed to be done on design to deride them where he lay 4 Months and at last with much ado got his Inlargement then over he returned into England and quickly getting his Commission renewed goes with all speed into Ireland again but before his Arrival there he is prevented with the News of Q. Marys Death and so the Lives of many and the Liberties of more poor Servants of God were preserved This Bishop Curwin died 1567. Westmoreland is divided into 4 Wards wherein are 8 Market Towns 26 Parish Churches and is in the Diocesses of Chester and Carlile it elects 4 Parliament Men and gives the Title of Earl to Charles L. Fane WILTSHIRE hath Glocestershire on the North Berkshire and Hampshire on the East Dorsetshire on the South and Somersetshire on the West both for Hills and Valleys abounding in Wood Sheep Wool and all things else Salisbury is the chief City therein in which there is a stately and beautiful Cathedral with an exceeding high spired Steeple not founded on the ground but on 4 Pillars The Windows of the Church as they reckon them answer just in number to Days the Pillars great and small to the Hours and the Gates to the Twelve Months of the whole Year according to the Poet. How many Days in one whole Year there be So many Windows in one Church we see So many Marble Pillars there appear As there are hours throughout the fleeting Year So many Gates as Moons one Year doth view Strange Tale to tell yet not so strange as true It hath a Cloister beside on the South side for largeness and fine Workmanship inferiour to none joined to the Bishops Pallace on the other side is an high Bell-Tower exceeding strong standing by itself There are Rills and Sewers of Water run through every street of the City which is very well inhabited and accomodated with
plenty of all things especially Fish it is adorned with a very stately Market place wherein standeth their Common Hall of Timberwork a very handsome building About 6 miles from Salisbury upon the Plains is to be seen a huge and monstrous piece of Work for within the circuit of a Pit or Ditch there are erected in the manner of a Crown certain mighty and unwrought stones whereof some are 20 Foot high and 7 broad upon the heads whereof others like overthwart pieces do bear and rest cross-wise with Tenents and Mortesses so that the whole frame seemeth to hang whereof it is commonly called Stone-henge Near Badmington is a place called The Giants Cave whereof there are 9 in number some deeper than others being two great long stones on both sides and a broad one to cover them both these are thought to be some ancient works either of the Romans Danes or Saxons In the Year 975. Queen Elfrida having barbarously murdered K. Edward her Son in Law to set up her own Son K. Etheldred afterward repenting of her cruel Fact and to pacifie the crying Blood of her slain Son built the two Monasteries of Amesbury and Worwel in Wiltshire and Hamshire in which she lived and died with great Penance but these and the like Foundations being built with Rapine and Blood have felt the Woe pronounced by the Prophet That the Stone in the Wall shall cry and the Beam out of the Timber shall answer it woe to him that buildeth a Town with Blood and establisheth a City with Iniquity In the Year 1154. K. Stephen seizing into his hands the Bishop of Salisburys Castles and Goods a Synod was called by the Popes Legate to right him where the King was summoned to appear to answer for his imprisoning of Bishops and depriving them of the r Goods which being a Christian King he ought not to do The King by his Attorney answers That he had not arrested him as a Bishop but as a Servant who ought to make up his Accounts about his Employments This answer caused some Debates they not presuming to excommunicate the King without the Popes leave and therefore they fell from Authority to Submission falling at his Feet and beseeching him to have pity on the Church and not make dissention between the Kingdom and the Priesthood which shews the great magnanimity and courage of K. Stephen that he was able to pull down the high Spirits of the Prelates in that time this rich Bishop of Salisbury who built the Castle of the Devizes and divers other strong Castles in this County being now thrown out of all his Grandeur was so swallowed up of over much grief that he ran mad and spake and did he knew not what In 1275. K. Edward 1. calls a Parliament at Salisbury without admitting of any Church-men to sit therein and Marchian his Treasurer acquainting him That in Churches and Religious Houses there was much Treasure to be had if it were lawful to take it He made no scruple of it but caused it to be seized and brought into his Exchequer but finding that he had thereby displeased the Clergy he bid them ask what they would have who required the Repeal of the Statute of Mortmain which hindered devout People at their death from giving all their Estates from their Children to the Church To which the King answered That it was a Statute made by the whole Body of the Realm and therefore it was not in his Power who was but one Member of that Body to repeal it In another Parliament at Salisbury this King requires certain of his Lords to go to the Wars in Gascoign who all excusing themselves the King in a great rage threatned they should either go or he would give their Lands to others that should Upon this the Earl of Hereford High-Constable and the Earl of Norfolk Marshal of England declare That if the King went in Person they would attend him otherwise not Which answer offended the King more and being urged again the Earl Marshal protested he would willingly march in the Front if the King went himself But the King told him he should go with any other without him I am not bound to do so said the Earl neither will I take this Journey without you The King swore by God he should either go or hang And I swear by the same Oath said the Earl I will neither go nor hang and so without leave departs shortly after the two Earls assembled many Noblemen and 1500 Souldiers wherewith they stand on their own Guard but the King being obliged to go to France condescends to their Demands and desires them that since they would not â—o they would do nothing prejudicial to himself and the Kingdom in his Absence and upon his return the King solemnly confirmed the two great Charters which appeased the present disturbances In the 4. of Q. Mary 1454 exemplary Justice was done upon a great Person for the Lord Sturton a man much in the Queens favour because he was an earnest Papist was for a Murther committed by him arraigned and condemned and he with 4 of his Servants were carried to Salisbury and there in the Market-place hanged he having this favour to be hanged in a silken Halter and his servants in places near adjoining where the Murther was committed Not long since saith Mr. Clark a Souldier in Salisbury in the midst of his Cups drinking and carousing in a Tavern drank a Health to the Devil saying That if the Devil would not come and pledge him he would not believe there was either God or Devil whereupon his Companions being struck with horrour hastened out of the Room and presently after hearing a hideous noise and smelling a stinking savour the Vintner ran up into the Chamber and coming in he missed his Guest and found the Window broken the Iron Bar in it bowed and all bloody but the man was never heard of afterward Wiltshire is divided into 29 Hundreds wherein are 23 Market Towns 304 Parish Churches and is in the Diocess of Salisbury It elects 34 Parliament-Men and gives the Title of Earl to Charles L. Pawlet as Salisbury doth to James Lord Cecil and Marleburgh to William L. Ley. WORCESTERSHIRE hath Staffordshire on the North Warwickshire on the East Glocestershire on the South Hereford and Shropshire on the West It is a County rich and populous the soil is very fertile producing besides Corn Cattle and Wood abundance of Apples and Pears which yield pleasure to the sight and also profit for with the juice they make great quantity of Sider and Perry both very pleasant and wholsome Drinks The City of Worcester is most pleasantly seaâ—ed and is admirable both in respect of the Antiquity and Beauty thereof It standeth in a place rising somewhat with a gentle ascent by the Rivers side which hath a fair Bridge with a Tower over it it is well and strongly walled and the Inhabitants are much enriched by the Trade of Clothing It is 1650 paces
about the Walls through which 7 Gates give entrance with 5 Watch Towers for defence there are in it divers Churches beside the Cathedral which is seated on the Southside of the City and is an excellent fair building adorned with the Tombs and Monuments of K. John Pr. Arthur and divers of the Beauchamps This City was set on Fire and almost every one of the Citizens slain by K. Hardicknute 1041 for killing the Collectors of this Danish Tribute yet was presently repaired but in 1113. a sudden Fire happened no body knew how which burnt down the Castle and the Cathedral Church likewise in the troubles of K. Stephen it was twice defaced by the Flames and made hopeless of Recovery yet out of these a new Phoenix arose and her Buildings were raised more stately than before especially the Cathedral At Droitwitch are three Fountains of Salt water divided by a little Brook of fresh water passing between them by the boiling of which salt water they make pure white saltt Edmund Bonner alias Savage was born in this County his Father was John Savage a rich Priest in Cheshire his Mother was this Priests Concubine a dainty Wench in her Youth and a jolly Woman in her Age she was sent out of Cheshire to cover her shame and laid down her burden at Elmly in this County where this bonny bouncing Babe Bonner was born in the Reign of K. Hen. 7. He was bred a Batchelor of the Laws in Oxford and in K. Hen 8. time he was made Doctor of the Laws Archdeacon of Leicester Master of Arts Master of the Faculties under Archbishop Cranmer and imployed in several Embassies beyond Sea All this time Bonner was not Bonner being as yet meek merciful and a great man for the L. Cromwell as appeared by some tart printed Repartees betwixt him and Stephen Gardiner Indeed he had a Body and an half but corpulency without cruelty is no sin and toward his old Age he was overgrown with fat as Mr. Fox who is charged to have persecuted Persecutors with ugly Pictures doth represent him not long after he was consecrated Bp. of London and under K. Edward 6. being ordered to preach publickly concerning the Reformation his faint and cold expressions thereof manifested that he had a mind rather to betray it for which he was deprived of his Benefice being restored to his Bishoprick under Q. Mary he caused the death of twice as many Martyrs as all the Bishops of England beside justly occasioning the Verses made upon him If one for shedding Blood for Bliss may hope Heavens widest gate for Bonner doth stand ope No body speaking to Bonner All call thee cruel and the spunge of Blood But Bonner I say thou art mild and good Under Queen Elizabeth he was deprived and secured in the Marshalsea where he lived 10 Years in soft durance and full plenty his Face deposing for his whole Body that he was not famished enjoying a great Temporal Estate by his Father wherein as he was kept from doing hurt to others so it kept others from doing hurt to him who was so universally odious that he had been stoned in the Streets if at Liberty He died 1569. and was buried in Barking Church-Yard among Thieves and Murderers but enough if not too much of this Herostratus who burnt so many living Temples of the Holy Ghost and who had he not been remembred by other Writers had found no place here In the 18th of Queen Elizabeth 1576. June 20. William Lumnley a poor man in the Parish of Emely being kept in Prison by a rich Widdow and having a Mare of 22 years old saith Mr. Stow with Foal within three days after she Foaled a Female Colt which immediately had an Udder out of which was milked the same day a pint of Milk and every day after it gave above three pints to the great relief of his Wife and Children and continued to do so a long time as was seen by many Thousands In her 35th year in the month of March were many great storms of wind which overturned Trees Houses Steeples and Barns and in Bewdly Forrest in Worcestershire many Oaks were overthrown in Horton Wood in this County above a 1000 Oaks were blown down in one day Worcestershire is divided into seven Hundreds wherein are 11 Market Towns 152 Parish Churches and is in the Diocess of Worcester It elects 9 Parliament Men and gives the Title of Earl and Marquess to Henry L. Somerset L. President of Wales YORKSHIRE hath Westmoreland and Durham on the North Lancashire on the West Derby Nottingham and Lincoln shires on the South and the German Ocean on the East It is the greatest of any County in England placed under a temperate Climate and so is indifferently fruitful so that if one part of it be stony sandy barren ground another part is fruitful and richly adorned with Cornfields if it be here bare of Woods you shall see it there shadowed with Forrests full of Trees If in one place it be Moorish miery and unpleasant another presents itself to the Eye full of beauty and delightful variety This County being so spacious is divided into three parts called the West Riding the East-Riding and the North-Riding It produceth Corn Cattel Cloth Knives and Stockins The City of York is very ancient and formerly of so great estimation that the Roman Emperours kept their Courts there it is at this day the second City of Eng. the fairest in all the Country a singular safeguard ornament to all the Northern Parts it is a large stately pleasant place well fortified and beautifully adorned both with publick and private Buildings Rich Populous and an Archbishops See The River Ouse flowing with a gentle stream from the North part Southward cutteth it in twain and maketh as it were two Cities which are joined with a strong Bridge whereon is a very great Arch The West part is incompassed with a very fair Wall and the River together foursquare having an entrance only at one Gate from which a long and broad street reacheth to the very Bridge which is beautified with handsome Houses with Gardens and Orchards on the back and pleasant Fields behind On the East side the Houses stand very thick and the streets are narrower being fortified with a strong wall and is divided on the South-East with the deep Channel of the muddy River Fosse which entring into the heart of the City by a blind way hath a Bridge over it with Houses built upon it and so close ranged one by another that it seems rather a street than a Bridge and soon after runs into the Ouse where a stately Castle formerly stood which commanded the whole City but it is now gone to decay toward the North stands the Cathedral Church an excellent fair and stately Fabrick We read that William the Conqueror after he had setled himself in this Kingdom did much a bridge the power of the prelates in Temporals ordaining that they should exercise
no Temporal Authority at all but yet in Spirituals he rather raised them as appears by a passage between Aldred Archbishop of York and this King for one time upon denying a certain suit the Archbishop in great discontent offered to go away but the King for fear of his displeasure staid him and fell down at his feet desiring his pardon and promising to grant his Suit the King for sometime lay at his feâ—t and the Noblemen that were present put the Prelate in mind that he should cause the King to rise Nay said the Archbishop let him alone let him find what it is to anger St. Peter And as by this story we may see the insulting Pride of this Prelate in those days so by another we may observe the equivocating falshood of another Prelate at that time for Stigand A. B. of Canterbury would often swear he had not one penny upon Earth when under the Earth it was afterward found he had hidden great Treasure It is also memorable but scarce credible of another Bishop who being accused of Simony and denying it the Cardinal before whom he was to answer told him That a Bishoprick was the gift of the Holy Ghost and therefore to buy a Bishoprick was against the Holy Ghost and thereupon bid him say Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost which the Bishop beginning and oft trying to do saith our Historian could never say and to the Holy Ghost but said it plainly when he was put out of his Bishoprick In the 19th of King Henry 3. 1235. there was a great dearth in Eng. so that many poor people died for want of food the Rich being so cruelly covetous as not to relieve them and among others Walter Gray A. B. of York had great store of Corn which he had horded for five years together yet at that sad time refused to bestow any of it upon the necessities of the poor but suspecting that it might be destroyed by Vermine he commanded it to be delivered to Husbandmen that lived in his Mannors upon condition to return him as much new Corn after Harvest but behold a terrible Judgment of God upon him for his covetousness when they came to one of his great stacks of Corn nigh the Town of Ripoon there appeared in the Sheaves all over the heads of Worms Serpents and Toads so that the Bailiffs were forced to build an high wall round about the stack of Corn and then to set it on fire least the venemous Creatures should have gone out and poysoned the Corn in other places In the Reign of K. Edward 4. 1570. George Nevil Brother to the great Earl of Warwick at his Instalment into his Archbishoprick of York made a prodigious Feast to the Nobility chief Clergy and many Gentry wherein he spent 300 Quarters of Wheat 330 Tuns of Ale 104 Tuns of Wine 1 Pipe of spiced Wine 80 fat Oxen 6 wild Bulls 1004 Sheep 3000 Hogs 300 Calves 3000 Geese 3000 Capons 300 Pigs 100 Peacocks 200 Cranes 200 Kids 2000 Chickens 4000 Pigeons 4000 Rabbets 204 Bittours 4000 Ducks 400 Herons 200 Phesants 500 Partridges 4000 Woodcocks 400 Plovers 100 Curlews 100 Quales 1000 Egrets 200 Rees above 400 Bucks Does and Roe-Bucks 1506 hot Venison Pasties 4000 cold Venison Pasties 1000 Dishes of Jelly parted 4000 Dishes of Jelly plain 4000 cold Custards 2000 hot Custards 300 Pikes 300 Breams 8 Seals 4 Porpusses and 400 Tarts At this Feast the E. of Warwick was Steward the Earl of Bedford Treasurer the Lord Hastings Controller with many more noble Officers 1000 Servitors 62 Cooks 515 Scullions But about 7 Years after the King seized on all the Estate of this Archbishop and sent him over Prisoner into France where he was bound in chains and in great Poverty Justice thus punishing his former prodigality The East-Riding of Yorkshire is divided into 4 Hundreds wherein are 8 Market Towns the West-Riding is divided into 10 Hundreds wherein are 24 Market Towns the North is divided into 12 Hundreds wherein are 17 Market Towns it is in the Diocess of York hath 563 Parish Churches and elects 29 Parliament men York gives the Title of Duke to His Royal Highness Richmond that of Duke to Charles Lenos Son to the Dutchess of Portsmouth Hallifax the Title of Earl to George L. Savil. WALES THis Principality hath the Severn Sea on the South the Irish Ocean on the West and North and England on the East It is 100 Miles from East to West and 120 from North to South it consisteth of 3 parts Northwales Powis and Southwales wherein are contained 13 Shires or Counties of which I have not room to give a particular account as before but shall only observe what is memorable in each of them the names thereof are Anglesey Brecknockshire Cardigan Carmarthan Carnarvan Denby Flint Glamorg n Merioneth Monmouth Montgomery Pembroke and Radnor The name of Wales some derive from Idwallo the Son of Cadwaller who with the small Remainder of his Brittish Subjects made good the dangerous places of this Countrey against his Enemies and was first called King of Wales This Country is Mountainous and barren not able to maintain its People but by helps elsewhere their chief Commodities are course cloths called Welch Freez and Cottons Lewellin Son of Griffin the Brother of David the last Sovereign Prince of VVales of the Race of Cadwallader was slain by K. Edward 1. 1282. whereby the Principality of Wales was added to the Crown of England though it may be this Conquest happened not for want of Valour since Hen. 2. in a Letter to Emanuel Emperour of Constantinople gives this Testimony of them The Welch Nation is so adventurous that they dare encounter naked with armed men ready to spend their blood for their Country and pawn their Life for praise Anglesey is an Island separated from the Continent by a small and narrow Streight of the River Menai In divers places in the low Fields and Champion Grounds of this County there are divers Trees digged out black within like Ebony and are used to inlay cupboards c. it is hard to resolve how they came hither some imagine the Romanes cut them down as being the coverts of Rebellion others think they fell of themselves and with their own Weight in those waterish places buried themselves and that the clammy Bituminous substance that is found about them keeps them from Putrefaction This Island yields such plenty of Wheat that they call it the Mother of Wales He that relateth wonders saith Dr. Fuller walks on the edge of an house if he be not careful of his Footing down falls his credit This shall make me exact in using my Authors words That Cloaks Hats and Staves cast down from the top of an Hill called Mounch-Denny or Cadier Arthur which hath its top above the Clouds in the County of Brecknock will never fall but are with the Air and Wind still beaten back and blown up again nor will any