upon that narrow space of ground betwixt Edenborough Frith and Dunbetton Bay maketh the Southern part a province unto the Roman Empire Afterwards Hadrian the Emperour seeing perhaps the Province too spacious to be well governed without great expence drew back these limits almost sourscore miles shorter even to the mouth of the River Tyne which he fortified with a wall of admirable work unto Carlâ—le where stood the Lands border while it was a Roman Province yet the conquering Saxons did spread again over those bounds and as seemeth enlarged their government to that first Tract as by this inscription in a Stone Cross standing upon a Bridge over the water of Frith appeareth I am a free Mark as Passengers may ken To Scots to Britains and to English men 10 But afterward William the Conquerour and Malcolm King of Scotland falling to an agreement for their limits arreared a Cross upon Stanemore where on the one side the portraiture and Armes of the King of England was sculptured and of the King of Scots on the other a piece whereof is yet remaining there near to the Spittle thence called the Rey-Cross there erected to be a Meare-stone to either Kingdome His successors also abolished the two partitions in the West whereby the Welsh became one Nation and Kingdome with the English It is also said that King Stephen to purchase friendship with the Scottish Nation gave unto their King the County of Cumberland who with it held both Westmorland and Northumberland but as Newbrigensis writeth he restored them to King Henry the second wisely considering his great power and right to those parts 11 The last known borders were from the Sulway in the West bay along the Cheviot hills unto the water of Tweed by Barwick in the East to maintain which on each part many Laws have been made and many inrodes robberies and fewdes practised all which by the hand of God is cut off and by the rightfull succession of King Iames our Soveraigne who hath broken down the partition of this great Island and made the extreames of two Kingdomes the very midst of his great united Empire KENT KENT CHAPTER III. KENT the first province appearing in the South of this Kingdom is bounded upon the North with the famous River Thamisis on the East with the German Ocean on the South with Sussex and the narrow Seas and upon the West with Sussex and Surrey The length thereof extending from Langley in the West unto Ramsgate Eastward in the Isle of Thanet is about 53 English miles From Rother in the South unto the Isle of Graine Northward the breadth is not much above 26 and the whole circumference about 160 miles 2 In form it somewhat resembleth the head of a Hammer or Battle-axe and lieth corner-wise into the Sea by Strabo Caesar Diodorus and Pâ—olomy called Cantium of Cant or Canton an Angle or Corner or of Caine a British word which signifieth Bushes or VVoods whereof that County in those former times was plentifully stored 3 The Air though not very clear because of the vapours arising from the Sea and Rivers that environ the same is both wholesome and temperate as seated nearest to the Equinoctial and the furthest from the North Pole not touched with cold as the other parts of the Land are 4 The soil towards the East is uneven rising into little hills the West more level and Woody in all places fruitful and in plenty equals any other of the Realm yea and in some things hath the best esteem as in broad cloths Fruits and feeding for Cattel Onely Mines except Iron are wanting all things else delivered with a prodigal heart and liberal hand 5 Sundry navigable Rivers are in Kent whereof Medway that divideth the shire in the midst is chief in whose bosome securely rideth his Majesties Navy Royal the walls of the Land and terrours of the Sea besides ten other of name and account that open with twenty Creeks and Havens for Ships arrivage into this Land four of them bearing the name of Cinque Ports are places oâ— great strength and priviledges which are Dover Sandwich Rumney and Winchelsey among which Dover with the Castle is accounted by Matthew Paris the Monk the lock and key to the whole Realm of England and by Iohn Rosse and Lidgate is said to be built by Iulius Caesar fatal only for the death of King Stephen and surrender of King Iohn therein happening 6 A conceit is that Goodwin Sands were sunk for the sins of himself and his sons Shelves indeed that dangerously lie on the North-east of this County and are much feared of all Navigators These formerly had been firm ground but by a sudden inundation of the Sea were swallowed up as at the same time a great part of Flanders and the Low Countries were and the like also at the same time befel in Scotland as Hector Boetius their Historiographer writeth A like accident hapned in the year 1586 the fourth day of August in this County at Mottingham a Town eight miles from London suddenly the ground began to sink and three great Elmes thereon growing were carried so deep into the bowels of the earth that no part of them could any more be seen the hole left in compass fourscore yards about and a line of fifty fathoms plummed into it doth find no bottom 7 The Kentish people in Caesars time were accounted the civillest among the Britains and as yet esteem themselves the freest Subjects of the English not conquered but compounded with by the Normans and herein glory that their King and Commons of all the Saxons were the first Christians converted in Anno 596 yea and long before that time also Kent received the Faith for it is recorded that Lucius the first Christian British King in this Island built a Church to the name and service of Christ within the Castle of Dover endowing it with the Toll of the same Haven 8 This County is enriched with two Cities and Bishops Sees strengthened with 27 Castles graced with 8 of His Majesties most Princely Houses traded with 24 Market-Towns and beautified with many stately and gorgeous buildings The chiefest Ciâ—y thereof the Motropolitane and Arch-bishops See is Canterbury buiâ—t as our British Historians report 900 years before the birth of â—hrist by Henry of Huntington called Caier-Kent wherein as M. Lambard saith was erected the first School of professed Arts and Sciences and the same a pattern unto Sigibert King of the East Angles for hiâ— foundation at Cambridge notwithstanding by the computation of time this Sigibert was slain by Penda King of Mercia thirty years before that Theodore the Grecian was Bishop of Canterbury who is said to be the erector of that Academy But certain it is that Austin the Monk had made this City famous before that time by the conversion of these Saxons unto Christianiâ—y and in building a most magnificent Church to Gods service wherein eight of their Kings have been interred but all their Monuments
fashion the rest which are under the Venetian observe them in their apparel for they are slaves to both in their whole course 9 Yet they retain still a shew of the Christian Religion which was here setled by Timâ—thy to whom Saint Paul wrote two Epistles and was after in the Primitive time professed by divers learned and reverend Divines of their own Nation which are with us received as Authenick Fathers of the Church S. Chrysostom Basil the Gregories Nysene and Nazianzen were all Grecians The government Ecclesiastical is in the power of four Patriarchs 1 of Constantinople and his extends over all Greece Muscovie Sclavonia Dacia part of Poland and all the Islands of the Adriatick and Aegean Seas 2 Of Alexandria and his over Aeâ—â—pt and Arabia 3 of Hierusalem and his over the Greeks in Palestine 4 Of Antioch and his over Syria Armenia and Cilicia 10 The people of this Country were heretofore distinguished by their principal dialects And those were the Attike Ionike Dorike and Aeolike A fift there was which was called a mixt or common dialect Each differed from other no more than we do from our selves in several parts of our Kingdom But this division will hardly reach the limits which bounds Greece according to our description we will adhere rather to that of our modern Geographers whith reckon to Greece six Provinces 1 Thrace 2 Macedonia 3 Albania 4 Epirus 5 Achaia 6 Pelâ—ponnesus and 7 The Islands 11 Thrace is the most Northern tract of all Greece and lyeth on the South of the mountain Hemus on the North of the Aegean Sea on the West of the Pontus Euxinus and East of Macedonia It hath the name from the sharpness of the air and indeed it is very unpleasant for the most part and too unnatural to its own fruit that it scarce ever ripens what it brings forth The people are many and those very strong â—ierce and heady and most impatient of government or discipline and by this means they have seldom had success in their battles whereas if they could have been brought to a joynt force it is said they would have been invincible 12 Part of this Nation was heretofore perswaded that their ancestors did not at all die neither should they but pass only out of this world into another to their supposed god Zaâ—mâ—xis once a scholar of Pythagoras who when he had perswaded them into this Religion seemed wonderfully to vanish out of their sight and appeared not any more but left them fully possest that he was the deity which must after a time entertain them And this they expected with that great joy that as oft as one died in stead of mourning they set forth games and feasts to congratulate his freedom from the troubles of this earthly condition and the wife only whom he loved best for they had many was thought worthy to be killed by her best friends at her husbands grave that she might bare him company in the other world the rest bewailed their neglect and the residue of their life was to them as a disgrace When a child was born neighbours were called to bemoan his entrance into a multitude of calamities and in course they reckoned up what he was to pass before he could go to their goâ— Zalmoxis for they acknowledged no other but blasphemed and shot arrows against the Heavens as oft as they heard it thunder 13 Their Kings saith Quadus are chose by suffrage and those especially which are best known to be most mild not young nor yet a Father of any children for they will not by any means admit that their government should become hereditary If the Prince himself offend he shall not escape their Laws even to death yet no man may set a hand to his execution but by a common desertion he is allowed no necessaries to live and therefore must needs die Here once reigned Polymnestor which murdered Priam's younâ— est son Polydorus And Tereus and Diomedes c. 14 This Province is now called Romenia and takes that name from her chief City Constantinopolis or Roma nova heretofore Bizantium of great fame from her first building and that was six hundred threescore and three â—ears before the Incarnation her founder Pousanias a Lacedemonian She stands so commodiously and commands the Euxine Sea the Propontis and Hellespont that there can hardly be any passage to or fro betwixt Europe and Asia in those parts without her leave And likely enough that for this cause Constantine the great when he divided the Empire chose this for his Eastern feat and in the year three hundred fifteen enlarged it with magnificient buildings and deckt her in the appaâ—el of old Româ— from whence he translated hither many ancient and costly monuments and fain would have removed her name but that his Subjects out of their endeared affâ—ction to their Prince would hear no other than Constantinopolis the City of Câ—nstantine It is in compass eighteen miles contains commonly seventy thousand Inhabitants though almost every third year she be visited with a great Pestilence The other eminent Cities of Thrace are Abdera Nicopolis Philopolis Hadrianopolis Trajanopolis Phinopolis Pemithus c. The Chersonesus over against Troas in Asia is called Saint George his Arm and in it stands Sestos where the love passed betwixt Leander and Here 15 Macâ—donia is on the West of Thrace East of Albania North of Epirus and Achaia and Soâ—th of Mysia superior It had this name from Macedo grand-child to Deucalion as Solinus gives him The Land is fertile and pleasant rich with Miâ—â—â— of gold and silver and the quality of the Inhabitants were heretofore answerable Their disposition noble and free Their Laws good and those their own their attempts great and their Kings valiant and victorious The most renowned were Philip and the greatest one that ever the world knew Alexander his son which conquered the world and set here the Throne of the third Empire 16 There are many under-Provinces in Macedonia The principal is Thessalia and here stands Triaeca the Bishops See of Heliodorus author of that excellent fiction of Theagines and Cariclea though he were too much wedded to a youthful fable when he chose rather to forgo his charge than disavow his work And here likewise is the Pharsalis famous for the great battel betwixt Caesar and Pompey The other Provinces are Aemathia Biâ—â—ia Pelasgia Eshotis and Phthiotis which yield matter for many of their stories and are famous for divers Hills and Rivers often mentioned in our ancient Poets The chief are Olympus Pelion and Ossa with their delicious valley Tempe Piâ—dus Nymphaus Atâ—â—s c. The Rivers Axius and Erigonius The chief City in the whole Region was in Augustus his time Thessalonica now Salonike comparable they sâ—y in state and merchandise to Naples in Iâ—aly 17 Albania is on the West of Macedonia and East of the Adriatick Sea North of Eâ—irus and South of Sclavonia Her chief Cities Albanopoâ—is and Duractinum heâ—etofore
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
be ministred but whereas the ancient Kings of England acâ—ording to Moses his example sate in pâ—rson in the seat of Iustice to right the greater affairs of their Subjects as William Lambeâ—â— sheweth in King Alfred Edgar Canutus c. and proves out of the Kings Oath out of Bractoâ— Britain â—axon Laws c. King William not only continued this but besideâ— erâ—cted some other Câ—urtâ— of â—ustice as the Exchequer and certain Courts and Sessions to be held four times every year â—appointing both Iudges some to hear causes others to whom appeals should be made but none from them and also Praefects to look to good orders Those last Polydor calleth Iustices of Peace but their instruction seems to be far later and no less is his errour on the other side in saying the Conquerour first instituted Sheriffs and the trial by twelve men which were both ancienter 4 And because the Conquerour for honour of Bishops caused them to remove from small obssure places to Cities of more renown we have therefore reserved to this last â—lace that division of this Kingdome which is according to Iurisdiction Episcopal Formerly in the year of Salvation 636. Honorius the first Archbishop of Canterbury first divided England into Parishes which at this day are contained under their several Diocesans and these again under their two Metropolitanes Canâ—erbury and York in manner following CANTERBVRY Bishopricks Counties Parishes Canterbury Kent 257. Rochester 98. London Essex 623. Middlesex Hertford-shire part Lincoln Lincoln-shire 1255. Leicester-shire Huntington Bedford-shire Buckingham-shire Hertford-shire part Chichester Hertford-shire 250. Sussex Winchester Hant-shire 362. Surrey Wight Isle Gernesey Isle Iersey Isle Salisbury Wilt-shire 248. Bark-shire Exeter Devon-shire 604. Corne-wall Bath and Wells Sommerset-shire 388. Gloucester Gloucester-shire 267. Worcester Worcester-shire 241. Warwick-shire Litchfield and Coventry Warwick shire part 557. Stafford-shire Derby-shire Shrop-shire part Hereford Shrop shire part 313. Hereford-shire Ely Cambridge-shire 141. Ely Isle Norwich Norfolke 1641. Suffolk Oxford Oxford-shire 195. Peterborow Northampton 293. Rutland-shire Bristow Dorset-shire 236. Glamorgan Landaffe Monmouth-shire 177. Brecknock-shire Radnor-shire S. David Pembroke-shire 308. Caermarden Bangor Caernarvon-shire 107. Anglesey Isle Merioneth-shire Denbigh-shire S. Asaph Devon-shire part 121. Flint-shire part  YORK  York York-shire 581. Nottingham-shire Chester Cheshire 256. Richmond-shire Cumberland part Lanca-shire Flint part Carlile Cumberland part 93. Westmorland Durham â—urham 135. Northumberland Sodor Man Island 17. Total Bishopricks 27. Parishes 9285. 9 To speak nothing of these twenty eight Flamins the Priests of Idolatry and the three Arch-Flamins whose seats were at London Caerlion and York all of them converted by King Lucius into Christian Bishops Sees let us only insist upon the three last by the same King appointed to be Metropolitanes over the rest among whom London is said to be chief whose first Christian Archbishop was Thean the builder of S. Peters Church in Cornhill for his Cathedral as by an ancient Table there hanging was affirmed and tradition to this day doth hold Our British Historians do bring a succession of fifteen Arch-bishops to have sate from his time unto the coming of the Saxons whose last was Vodius slain by King Vortiger for reprehending his heathenish marriage with Rowen the Daughter of Hengist At what time began the misery of the Land and of holy Religion both which they laid waste under their prophane feet until Ethelbert of Kent the first Christian Saxon King advanced Christianity and Augustine to the Archbishoprick of Caâ—terbury when London under Melitus became subject to that See 6 At Caerlion upon Vske in the time of the great Arthur sate Dubritius a man excellently learned and of an holâ— conversation he had sate Bishop of Landaffe a long time and with Germanus and Lupus two French Bishops greatly impugned the Pelagian Heresie infecting at that time the Island very far whose fame and integrity was such that he was made Archbishop of all Wales but grown very old he resigned the same unto Daviâ— his Disciple a man of greater birth and greater austerity of life who by consent of King Arthur removed his Archbishops See unto Menevia a place very solitary and meet for meditation the miracles of the man which are said to be many changed both the name of the place into his own and robbed Caerlion of her Archiepiscopal seat This See of S. Davids as in an ancient Register belonging to that Church is recorded had seven Bishops Suffragans subject unto it which were Exeter Bath Hereford Landaffe Bangor S. Asapâ— and â—ernes in Ireland notwithstanding either for want of Pall carried into Britany by Archbishop Sampson in a dangerous infection of sickness or by poverty or negligence it lost that jurisdiction and in the days of King Henry the first became subject to the See of Canterbury 7 York hath had better succesâ— than either of the former in retaining her original honour though much impaired in her circuit challenging to have been sometime Metropolitane over all the Bishops in Scotland and although it was made equal in honour and power with Canterbury by Pope Gregory as Beda relateth and had twelve suffragan Bishopricks that owed obedience onely four now acknowledge York their Metropolitane but Canterbury the Superiour for William the Conquerour thinking it dangerous to have two in like authority lest the one should set on his Crown and the other 〈◊〉 it off left York to be a primate but Canterbury only the primate of all England 8 That Lichfield was made an Archiepiscopal See by Pope Hadrian the first at the suit of Offa the great King of Mercia is manifested by Matthew of Westminster unto whose Iurisdiction were assigned the Bishopricks of Winchester Hereford Leicester Sidnacester Helmham and Dunwich and whose first and last Archbishop was Aldwin That Winchester also had intended an Archiepiscopal Pall the same Author recordeth when Henry Bloys of the Bloud Royal greatly contended with the Archbishop of Canterbury for superiority under the pretence of being Cardinal de latere to him an Archiepiscopal Pallâ— was sent with power and authority over seven Churches but he dying before that the design was done the See of Winchester remained in subjection to Canterbury And that long before the See of Dorchester by Oxford had the Iurisdiction of an Archbishop is apparent by those provinces that were under his Diocess which were Winchester Oxford Lincoln Salisbury Bristow Wells Litchfield Chester and Exeter and the first Bishop of this great circuit Derinus was called the Apostle and Bishop of the West Saxons which in his next successor was divided into two parts Winchester and Dorchester and not long after into Lichfield Sidnacester and Legecister and lastly the See removed from Dorchester to Lincoln as now it is And thus far for the division of this Realm both Politick and Ecclesiastick as it hath stood and stands at this day 9 But the whole Islands division by most certain Record was anciently made when Iulius Agricola drew a trench or fortification
foreign Countries to that Countries great benefit and Englands great praise 9 The Trade thereof with other provisions for the whole are vented through eighteen Market-Towns in this Shire whereof Winchester the Britains Caer Gwent the Romans Venta Belgarum in chief ancient enough by our British Historians as built by King Budhudthras nine hundred years before the Nativity of Christ and famous in the Romans times for the weavings and embroderies therein wrought to the peculiar uses of their Emperours own persons In the Saxons time after two Calamities of consuming fire her walls was raised and the City made the Royal Seat of their West Saxons Kings and the Metropolitan of their Bishops See wherein Egbert and Elfred their most famous Monarchs were Crowned and Henry the third the Normans longest Reigner first took breath And here King Aethelstane erected six Houses for his Mint but the Danish desolation over running all this City felt their fury in the days of King Ethelbright and in the Normans time twice was defaced by the mis-fortune of fire which they again repaired and graced with the trust of keeping the publick Records of the Realm In the civil wars of Maud and Stephen this City was sore sacked but again received breath was by King Edward the third appointed the place for Mart of Wool and Cloth The Caehedral Church built by Kenwolf King of the West-Saxons that had been Amphibalus S. Peters Swethins and now holy Trinitie is the Sanctuary for the ashes of many English Kings for herein great Egbert anno 836. with his son King Ethelwolf 857. Here Elfred Oxfords founder 901. with his Queen Elswith 904. Here the first Edmund before the Conquest 924. with his sons Elfred and Elsward Here Edred 955. and Edwy 956. both Kings of England Here Emme 1052. with her Danish Lord Canute 1035. and his son Hardicanute 1042. And here lastly the Normaus Richard and Rufus 1100. were interred their bones by Bishop Fox were gathered and shrined in little gilt coffers fixed upon a wall in the Quire where still they remain carefully preserved This Cities situation is fruitful and pleasant in a valley under hills having her River on the East and Castle on the West the circuit of whose walls are well near two English miles containing one thousand eight hundred and eighty paces through which openeth six gates for entrance and therein are seven Churches for divine Service besides the Minister and those decayed such as Callender Ruell Chappell S. Maries Abbey and the Friers without the Suburbs and Sooke in the East is S. Peteâ—s and in the North Hyde Church and Monastery whose ruins remaining shew the beauâ—y that formerly it bare The graduation of this City by the Mathematicks is placed for Latitude in the Degree 51 10 minutes and for Longitude 19 3 minutes 10 More South is South-hampton a Town populous rich and beautiful from whom the whole Shire deriveth her name most strongly walled about with square stone containing in circuit one thousand and two hundred paces having seven Gates for entrance and twenty nine Towers for defence two very stately Keys for Ships arrivage and five fair Churches for Gods divine Service besides an Hospital called Gods-house wherein the unfortunate Richard Earle of Cambridge beheaded for treason lieth interred On the West of this Town is mounted a most beautifull Castle in form Circular and wall within wall the foundation upon a hill so topped that it cannot be ascended but by stairs carrying a goodly prospect both by Land and Sea and in the East without the walls a goodly Church sometimes stood called S. Maries which was pulled down for that it gave the French direction of course who with fire had greatly endangered the Town instead thereof is newly erected a small and unfinished Chappel In this place saith learned Cambden stood the ancient Clausentium or Fort of the Romans whose circuit on that side extended it self to the Sea this suffered many depredations by the Saxon Pirates and in Anno 980. was by the Danes almost quite overthrown In King Edward the thirds time it was fired by the French under the Conduct of the King of Sicils son whom a Countrey man encountred and struck down with his Club he crying Rancon that is Ransome but he neither understandiog his language nor the Law that Arms doth allow laid on more soundly saying I know thee a Frankon and therefore shalt thou die And in Richard the seconds time it was somewhat removed and built in the place where now it standeth In this Clausentium Canute to evict his flatterers made trial of his Deity commanding the Seas to keep back from his seat But being not obeyed he acknowledged God to be the onely supreme Governour and in a religious devotion gave up his Crown to the Rood at Winchester More ancient was Silcester built by Constantius great Constantines son whose Monument they say was seen in in that City and where another Constantine put on the purple robe against Honorius ' as both Ninius and Gervase of Canterbury do withess Herein by our Historians record the warlike Arthur was Crowned Whose greatness for circuit contained no less than fourscore Acres of ground and the walls of great height yet standing two miles in compass about This City by the Danish Rovers suffered such wrack that her mounted tops were never since seen and her Hulke the walls immured to the middle of the earth which the rubbish of her own desolations hath filled 11 Chief Religious houses within this County erected and again suppressed were these Christ's-Church Beaulieu Whâ—rwall Rumsey Redbridge Winchester Hyde South-hampton and Tichfield The honour of this Shire is dignified with the high Titles of Marquess and them Earls of VVinchester and South-hampton whose Arms of Families are as thou seest and her division into thirty seven Hundreds and those again into two Hundred fifty three Parishes WIGHT ISLAND VVIGHT ILAND CHAPTER VII WIGHT ILAND was in times past named by the Romans Vecta Vectis and Vectâ—sis by the Britains Guyth and in these days usually called by us The Lsle of Wight it belongeth to the County of South-hampton and lieth out in length over against the midst of it South-ward It is encompassed round with the British Seas and severed from the Main-land that it may seem to have been conjoyned to it and thereof it is thought the British name Guyth hath been given unto it which betokeneth separation even as Sicily being broken off and cut from Italy got the name from Secando which signifieth cutting 2 The form of this Isle is long and at the midst far more wide than at either end From Binbridge Isle in the East to Hurst Castle in the West it stretcheth out in length 20 miles and in breadth from Newport haven Northward to Chale-bay Southward 12 miles The whole in circumference is about sixty miles 3 The Air is commended both for health and delight whereof the first is witnessed by the long continuance of the Inhabitants in
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
of his Mothers kindred by the Fathers side sâ—rely pestred and endamaged the English he sent into Wales both to purge aâ—d disburden his own Kingdom and to quell and keep back thâ— courage of his enemies These men here seated deceived not his expectation but so carried themselves in his quarrel that they seldome communicated with their Neighbours so that to this day they speak not the Language and the Country is yet called Little England beyond Wales 5 The Commodities of this Shire are Corn Cattel Sea-Fish and Fowl and in Giraldus his daies of saleable Wines the Havens being so commodious for Ships arrivage such is that at Tenby and Milford and Haven of such capacity that sixteen Creeks â—ive Bays and thirteen Roads known all by several names 〈◊〉 therein contained where Henry of Richmond of most happy memory arrived with 〈…〉 of Eâ—glands freedom from under the government of an usurping Tyrant 6 Near unto this is Pembroke the Shire-Town seated more ancient in shew than it is in years and more houses without Inhabitants than I saw in any one City throughout my Survey It is walled long-wife and them but indifferent for repair containing in circuit eight hundred and fourscore paces having three Gates of passage and at the West-end a large Castle and locked Causey that leads over the water to the decayed Priory of Monton The site of this Town is in the degree of Longitude as Mercâ—tor doth measure 14 and 35 minutes and the Elevation from the North-Pole in the degree of Latitude 52. 7 A City as barren is old Saint Davids neither clad with Woods nor garnished with Rivers nor beauâ—ified with Fields nor adorned with Meadows but lieth alwaies open both to Wind and Storms Yet hath it been a Nursery to Holy Men for herein lived Calphurnius a Britain Priest whose Wife was Choncha Sister to Saint Martin and both of them the Paâ—ents of Saint Patrick the Apostle of Ireland Devi a most Religious Bishop made this an Archepiscopal See removed from Isca Legiâ—num This the Britains call Tuy Dewy the House of Devi we Saint Davids a City with few Inhabitants yet hath it a fair Cathedral Church dedicated to Saint Andrew and David in the midst of whose Quire lieth intombed Edmond Earl of Richmond Father to King Henry the Seventh whose Monument as the Prebends told me spared their Church from other defacements when all went down under the Hammers of King Henry the Eighth About this is a fair Wall and the Bishops Palace all of Free-Stone a goodly House I assure you and of great Receit whose uncovered Tops cause the curious Works in the Walls daily to weep and them to fear their downfal ere long 8 But Monton the Priory and S. Dogmels places of devout piety erected in this County found not the like favour when the commission of their dissolutions came down against them and the axes of destruction cut down the props of their Walls 9 This Shire hath been strengthened with sixteen Castles besides two Block-Houses commandiâ—g the Mouth of Milfâ—rd-Haven and is still traded in five Market-Towns being divided into seven Hundreds and in them seated one hundred forty five Pariâ—h-Churches RADNOR BREKNOK CARDIGAN and CAERMARTHEN discribed Petrus Kaerius caelavit 1500. RADNOR-SHIRE CHAPTER III. RADNOR-SHIRE lyeth bordered upon the North with the County Monmouth upon the East toucheth Shropshire and Herefoâ—dshire the Rivers Clarwen and Wye divide it from Brecknock in the South and the West part doth shorten point-wise in Cardigan-shire 2 The form thereof is in proportion triangle every side containing almost a like distance for from West to North are twenty miles from North to South twenty two miles and from South to West are twenty four miles the whole in circumference extending to fourscore and ten miles 3 The Air thereof is sharp and cold as most of Wales is for that the Snow lieth and lasteth long unmelted under those shadowing high Hills and over-hanging Rocks 4 The Soil is hungry though not barren and that in the East and South the best the other parts are rough and churlish and hardly bettered by painful labour so that the Riches of the North and West consisted chiefly in the brood of Cattel 5 Anciently this County was posseâ—â—ed by the Silâ—res warlike People and great withstanders of the Romans Impoâ—itions who had not only them to â—ight against but withal the unacceâ—â—ible Mountains wherewith this Shire is so overpressed and burdened that many times I feared to look down from the hanging Rocks whereunder I passed into those deep and dark Dales seeming to me an entrance into Limbâ— Among thâ—se as say our Historiaâ—s that hateful Prince to God and Man Vâ—rtigâ—r his Countries scourge and last Monarch of the British-blood by Fire from Heaven was consumed with his incestuous Wise from whom â—iniâ— nameth the Country wherein his Castle stood Guartiger-Maur of whose Rubbish the Castle Guthremion was raised as some are of opinion Yet they of North-Wales will have his destruction and Castle to stand in their parts near unto Beth-Kellech whereof we will further speak in the relation of his Life Fatal was this place also to Llewellin the last Prince of the British Race who being betrayed by the Men of Buelth â—â—ed into those vast Mountains of Radnor where by Adam Francton he was slain and his Head Crowned with Ivy set upon the Tower of London 6 Places most worthy of note in this Shire are as ensueth The first is Radnor from whom the County receiveth her name anciently Magi where the Commander of the Pacensian Regiment lay and thought to be the Magnos in Antonine the Emperours Survey This Town is pleasantly seated under a Hill whereon standeth mounted a large and strong Castle from whose Bulwark a Trench is drawn along the West of the Town whereon a Wall of Stone was once raised as by the remains in many places appeareth This Trench doth likewise inverge her West-side so far as the River but after is no more seen whose Graduation is observed to have the Pole elevated for Latitude 52 degrees and 45 minutes and for Longitude from the first Point of the West set by Mercator 17 degrees and one minute Prestayn for beautious building is the best in this Shire a Town of Commerce wonderfully frequented and that very lately Next is Kâ—ighton a Market-Town likewise under which is seen the Clawdh-Offa or Offaes Ditâ—h whose Tract for a space I followed along the edge of the Mounâ—ain which was a bound set to separate the Welsh from the English by the Mercian King Offa and by Egberâ— the Monarch a Law made by the instigation of his Wife that it should be present death for the Welsh to pass over the same as Iohn Bever the Monk of Westminster reporteth and the like under Hâ—â—ald as Iohn of Salisbury writeth wherein it was ordained that what Welshman soever should be found with any weapon on this side of that Limit which was Offaes Ditch should have
turneth Scotos into Scyttan and so saith Walsingham from one and the same original Scythae Scytici Scota Scotici take their names as from Geta Getici Gothi Gothici have done The Southren parte of Scotland wherin is y e strange Lake Lomund Petrus Kaerius caelavit 6 Their Manners were alike saith Diodorus Siculus and Strabo and their Garments not much different as by Sidonius Apollinaris may be gathered where he seemeth rather to describe the modern Wild-Irish than the antike Gete Notwithstanding this Nations Original by some hath been derived from Scota the supposed Daughter of the Egyptian King Pharaoh that nourished Moses afterwards married unto Gaithelus the Son of Cecrops Founder of Athens who first seating in Spain passed thence into Ireland and lastly into Scotland where his Wife Scota gave Name to the Nation if we believe that they hit the mark who shoot at the Moon 7 But that the Scythians came into Spain besides the Promontory bearing their name Scythicum Silius Italicus a Spaniard born doth shew who bringeth the Concani a Nation therein seated from the Massagetae which were the Scythians and the Sarmatae whom all confess to have been Scythians were the builders as he saith of the City Susanna in Spain And how from Spain they possessed themselves of Ireland at the time when the Kingdom of Iudah flourished Ninius the Disciple of Elvodugus doth tell and their own Histories of Nemethus and Delas besides Cisnerus and others do shew who were first known by the name of Scots as is gathered out of Porphyry alledged by S. Ierome in the Reign of Aurelianus the Emperour Gildas calleth them the Irish-Spoilers Giraldus A Scottish Nation descended from Ireland which in regard of them by Eginhardus is termed The Isle of Scots by Beda The Isle inhabited by the Scots and by other Historians Scotland the great as their seat in Britain was called Scotland the less The Eastern part of Scotland wherin ther are diuers Shires and the Vniversity of Aberdyn Petrus Kaerius caelavit 9 Scotlands South-part in Galloway washed with the water of Solway-Bay toucheth degree 56 of Latitude and thence imbosoming many Loughs and Inlets upon the East and West extendeth it self unto the degree 60 and 30 minutes whose Logitude is likewise laid betwixt the degree 13 and 19 and the same grown very narrow being so near the North-Pole as lying directly under the hinder-most Stars of the Greater Bear 10 The which Kingdom is divided into two parts by the great River Tay the South whereof is the more populous and more beautified in manners riches and civility the North more rude retaining the customs of the Wild-Irish the ancient Scot in whose several Territories these Counties ensuing are contained South Teifidale Merch Laudier Liddesdale Eskedale Anuandale Niddesdale Galloway Carricke Kyle Cunningham Arrar Cluidesdale Lennox Stirling Fife Stratberne Menteith Argile Cantire Lorne North. Loquabrea Braidalhin Perth Athol Anguis Merns Mar Buquhan Murrey Rosse Sutherland Cathanes Strathnavern Part of Scotland it is called of the înhabitance Stranauerne with his borderers Petrus Karius caelavit 1599. 11 And these again are subdivided into Sheriffdomes Stewardships and Bailiwicks for the most part Inheritory unto honourable Families The Ecclesiastical Government is also subject under two Metropolitan Arch-Bishops which are of S. Andrews the Primate of Scotland and of Glasco whose Iurisdictions are as followeth S. Andrews Dunkeld Aberdon Murray Dunblan Brechin Ross Cathenes Orkney Glasco Galloway Argile Iles. Amongst the things worthy of Note of Antiquity in this Kingdom most memorable was that Fortification drawn from Abercorne upon the Frith of Edenborougâ— unto Alcluyd now Dunbritton opening upon the West-Sea where Iulius Agricola set the limit of the Roman Empire past which saith Tacitus there was no other bounds of Britain to be sought for and that here the second Legion Augusta and the 20 Legion Victrix built a part of the Wall certain Inscriptions there digged up and reserved at Dunloyr and Cader do witness as also an ancient coped Monument of an high and round compass which as some think was a Temple consecrated unto the God Terminus others a Trophy raised by Carausius who fortified this Wall with seven Castles as Ninius doth declare The Iles of Hebrides w th ther borderers Petrus Kaerius caelavit 13 Ninian a Britain is recorded to have converted the South-Picts unto the Faith of Christ in the Reign of Theodosius the youâ—ger and the Church in Galloway bearing his name doth witness it so likewise in the same age Palladius sent from Pope Celestine became an Apostle unto the Scots whose Reliques lay enshrined at Fordon in Mernis as was verily supposed but that Christianity had been formerly planted in this uttermost Province is testified by Tertullian in saying the Britains had embraced the Faith further than the Romans had power to follow or persecute them whereupon Peter Monk of Clun in Spain concludeth their conversion to be more ancient than the Southern Britains 14 But touching things observable for the present surely admirable is the report of the plenty of Cattel Fish and Fowl there abiding their Neat but little yet many in number Fish so plentiful that men in some places for delight on Horse-back hunt Salmons with Spears and a certain Fowl which some call Soland-Geese spreading so thick in the Air that they even darken the Suns light of whose Flesh Feathers and Oyl the Inhabitants in some parts make great use and gain yea and even of Fishes brought by them abundant Provision for Diet as also of the Sticks brought to make their Nests plentiful provision for Fuel CATHANES and ORKNAY INS Petrus Kaerius caela 16 No less strange than any the fore-mentioned waters but more lamentable is the remembrance of the great inundation hapning by the sudden rising of Tay which bare away the Walls and Town of Berth and with it the Cradle and young Son of King William into the Sea wherein the Royal Infant with many others perished the King and his Courtiers hardly escaping the danger with life The ruine of this Town raised another more famous and more commodiously seated even Berth since called Saint Iohns-Town 17 Islands and Ilets yielding both beauty and subjection to this Scottish-Kingdom are the Western the Orkneys and the Shetlands reckoned to be above three hundred in number the Inhabitants for the most part using the frugality of the ancient Scot. 18 The Western lying scattered in the Deucalidonian Sea were anciently ruled by a King of their own whose maintenance was out of their common Coffers and the Regal Authority never continued in lineal succession for to prevent that their Kings were not permitted to have Wives of their own but might by their Laws accompany with other mens as the like Law was in the other parts of Scotland that the Virginity of all new Wives should be the Landlords prey till King Malcolme enacted that half a mark should be paid for redemption The residence of those fore-mentioned Kings was chiefly
For the most part they live not as if Reason guided their actions Maginus numbers twenty five Provinces of this Country which have had their several Governours Now it knoweth but four Kings and those are 1 The King of Tombulum and he is an infinite rich Monarch hates a Iew to the death of his Subject that converseth with him keeps a Guard of three thousand Horsemen besides Foot 2 Of Bornaum where the people have no proper Names no Wives peculiar and therefore no Children which they call their own 3 Of Gonga who hath no estate but from his Subjects as he spends it 4 Gualatum a poor Country God wot not worth either Gentry of Laws or indeed the name of a Kingdom 14 Aethiopia Superior the fifth and is called likewise the Kingdom of the Abyssines It is limited on the North with Aegypt on the South with the Montes Lunae on the East with the Red-Sea and on the West with the Kingdom of the Nigers and Manilongo It is distinct from the Aethiopia so often mentioned in Scripture For by all probability that was in another quarter of the world and teacheth from the Red-Sea to the Persian Gulf. It is governed by one of the mightiest Emperors in the world For his power reacheth almost to each Tropick and is called by us Presbyter Iohn He is the only white man amongst them and draws his Line from Solomon and the Queen of the South His Court rests not long in one place but his moving as well for Housing as Retinue For it consists of Tents only to the number of six thousand and incompasseth in about twelve or thirteen miles He hath under him seventy Kings which have their several Laws and Customes Among these the Province of Dobas hath one that no man marry till he hath killed twelve Christians The Inhabitants of the whole Region are generally base and idle the better sort have the modesty to attire themselves though it be but in Lyons and Tygers skins Their Religion is mixt Christians they have but yet differ from us For they circumcise both Sects Their Oath is by the life of their King whom they never see but at Christmas Easter and Holy Rood Their Commodities are Oranges Lemmons Citrons Barley Sugar Honey c. 15 Aethiopia inferior the sixth part of Africa is on every side begirt with Sea except toward the North that way it is severed form the Abissines by the Montes Lunae The government of this Region is under five free Kings 1 of Aiana which contains in it two petty Kingdoms of Adel and Adia and abounds with Flesh Honey Wax Gold Ivory Corn very large Sheep 2 Zanguebar in this stands Mesambique called by Ptolomy Prassum Promontorium and was the utmost part South ward of the old world The Inhabitants are practised much in South-saying indeed Witch craft 3 Of Monomolâ—pa in which is reported to be three thousand Mines of Gold Here there lives a kind of Amazons as valiant as men Their King is served in great pomp and hath a guard of two hundred Mastives 4 Cafraia whose people live in the Woods without Laws like brutes And here stands the Cape of good Hope about which the Sea is always rough and dangerous It hath been especially so to the Spaniard It is their own note in so much that one was very angry with God that he suffered the English Hereticks to pass so easily over and not give his good Catholikes the like speed 5 Manicongo whose Inhabitants are in some parts Christians but in other By-Provinces Anthropophagi and have shambles of mans flesh as we have for meat They kill their own children in the birth to avoid the trouble of breeding them and preserve their Nation with stoln brats from their nighbouring Countries 16 Aegypt is the seventh and last part of the African Continent which deserves a larger Tract than we can here afford it But for the present be content with brief Survey and satisfie your self more particularly in the many several Authours that write her story It hath on the East the Red Sea Barbary on the West on the North the Mediterraneum and Aethiopia Superior on the South It was first possest by Cham and therefore called Chemiaâ— in their own antique Stories Or at least by Mitzraim his Grand-child and is so agreed upon by most For plenty it was called Orbis hâ—rrâ—um yet it had very seldom any rain but that defect was supplied by the River Nilus The places of note are Caire and Alexandria The first was heretofore Memphis Some say Babylon whither the Virgin 〈◊〉 to escape Herods tyranny intended to our Saviour and blush not to shew the very Cave where â—he had hid her Babe In a desert about four miles distant stand the Pyramids esteemed rightly one of the seven wonders of the world Alâ—zandria was a mangnificent City and the place where Ptolomy took his Observations and was famous for the rarest Library in the world To the Inhabitants of this Country we owe the invention of Astrology Physick writing on Paper Their Kings names were Pharaoh toward the beginning now what the Turks pleaseth 17 And this is as far as we may travel by Land it remains that we lose out into the bordering Sea and descry what Islands we can neer those parts of Africa which we have here mentioned And these lie either South-ward in the Aethiâ—â—pick Sea or else West-ward in the Atlantick Ocean 18 The Aethiopick Islands are only two 1 The Islands of S. Lawrence of Madagascar four thousand miles in compass and the length more than Italy rich in all Commodities almost that man can use The Inhabitants are very barbarous most of them black some white there are supposed to have been transplanted out of China 2 Zocratina at the mouth of the Red-Sea in length sixty in breadth â—wenty five miles It lieth open to sharp winds and by that means is extream dry and barren Yet it hath good Drugs and form hence comes the Aloâ— Zocratina The people are Christians and adore the Cross most superstititously and give themselves much to Inchantments 19 The Atlantick Islands are 1 S. Thomas Island and lyeth directly under the Aequator it was made habitable by the Portugals which found it nothing but a Wood. It is full of Sugar little â—ther Commodities 2 Prince Island between the Aequator and Tropick of Capricorn It is rich â—nough for the owner though I find no great report of it 3 The Gorgades of old the Gorgoss where Medusa and her two fisters dwelt I forbear the fable they are nine in number and because neer to Cape Viridâ— in the Land of Negroes the have a second name of Insulae Capitis Viridis They abound with Goats and the chief of them is called Saint Iames. 4 The Canaries called for their fertility The Fortunate IsIands and was the place of the first Meridian with the ancient Geographers to divide the world into the East and West and from thence the to measure
peaceably enjoy till he had vanquished his corrival and then he soon fastned himself in the right to that Kingdom and not long after pâ—ssest it about the year of the world two thousand seven hundred eighty seven It would not be much to our purpose to lead you down step by step through the succession till we come to Romulus All before him were before this Empire had Being and therefore outâ—eacht the line of my story yet this in brief we may recount here that he was the 17 from Aeneas and founded Rome in the year 3198. 3 The plat-form was first cast in a figure of a quadrangle upon the mons Palatinus for the other six noted hills were not then taken in but added in after ages by their several Kings It was began it seems but sleight and the walls raised not very high when Rhemus could skip them over in contempt of his brotâ—ers poor enterprise but the mock cost him his life he was slain by Roâ—ulus and he now left the sole founder to give name to this new building 4 Romulus then is their first King and takes upon him the government of such discontented and masâ—erless young Shepherds as he had raked together to people his Common-wealth a crue so scorâ—ed of their neighbours that their daughters denyed to joyn in marriage with such â— refuse of men so that by this means this up-start Nation was like to sink in the birth for meer want of issue to continue their succession And without doubt themselves had seen their last man born had not their own wit bestead them more than the womens love For when they saw â—heir worth was not sufficient to woe fairly with effect they proclaimed a day for solemn sports which they presuâ—ed and rightly too would call in their borders of both sex and for that purpose had made provision of strength to force the women to their lust whom theâ— could not entiâ—e to their lawful eâ—braces The plot held and the Sabiâ—â—s bear the name to have suffered most in that brutish treacheâ—y yet others it seâ—â—s â—â—d their part too in the injury and joyntly beset them round with strong enemies which the Râ—mans notwithstanding shook off with that ease and undaunted courage that the rest were glad at last to yield them truce for their own quiet and assist them too in their â—nsuing Conquest 5 The City at this time was not above two miles in circuit the Inhabitants not much above the proportion of that little ground till Romulus had built an Asylum a Râ—fuge for debaucht people where the servant might secure himself from his Master the â—urderer from his Magistrate the debtor from his arrest and each fault from his punishment and then he soon called in incredible swarms such as they were of Latines Tuscaines Trojans Arcadians and made up a Miscellany of people each brought in the proper sins of his own Country and have there left them as a testimony of their ancest â—rs to this day 6 This policy might seem good at first to make up his number For who else but such would leave a setled state though mean in a well ordered Kingdom to apply himself to novelâ—es of so uncertain event But in a few years their King found that there was more need of a Pistrinum to correct than an Asylum to shelter his offenders and therefore was foâ—ced to make setled Laws for his Common-wealth and cull out a certain number of the best ordered to assist him with their câ—unsell and see execution duly performed upon the rest These be called Patres or Senatores and wâ—re at first not above one hundred chosen out of the elder wâ—althâ—er and gravest Citizens who were either called Patricii for that they had mâ—st of them many children or Patroni as being the Patrons of the Plebeii or poorer sort which were therefore oft times called Clients as having no business of actâ—on in the Common-wealth scarce so much as to require their own right unless under the protection of some one or other of the Patricii yet afterward both the number of Senators was encreased to 200 and at last 300. and the Plebeii too in time had the priviledge to be elected into their society 7 No sooner Romulus had thus set the form but while he was yet in speech to the people at a set assâ—mbly a tempest rose the skies darkned and â— trick was found to juggle him clean out of their â—ight as if at this instant he had been rapt into the Heavens He past not it seems to lose his life so that he might gain the opinion of a God For so the Romans believed and it was confirmed by one Proculus who pretended to have seen him after his change and received a charge from his deiâ—y that he should be thence forward honoured in Roâ—e as her tutelare In brief the more likely surâ—ise of his manner of death is that in the storm he was cut in pieces by some of his Senators who had either suffered under his tyranny or at least had hope to â—aise themselves by his fall 8 Their second King was Numa Pompilius religious in his kind beyond all others and ordained in Rome a set form to worship their gods invested Priests and South-sayers to perform their rites and fortel things to come committed the Vestal fire to Virgins to be kept aâ— a perpetual watch over the Empire in an emulation to the bright stars of heaven which were never extinguisht and in brief civilized the people so far as they began now and scare till now to have a sense of moâ—ral goodness a moderate love to themselves mixt with some equity towards others 9 Their third Tullus Hostilius stirred them up first with the desire of true honour and enabled them by martial discipline to provoke the Albanes a Nation then of long standing and great fame thâ—ough most parts of Italy yea so equal was their prowess that open war might well lessen their several strengths but not determine the conquest till by the tried fortune of the Horatii and Curiatii brothers on each party it stoopt at last to Rome beyond her own hope for she had at last but one Champion left of her Horatii against the three others who were notwithstanding by a feigned flight of their own adversary drawn severally out into single combate and successively fell by the sword of the Roman victor Alba was now carried captive to Rome and gave up her honours as a Trophy to this new born Empire 10 Ancus Martius their â—ourth King enlarged her walls joyned those parts of the City which were before served by the River Tyber with a large bridge Their next Tarqâ—inius Priscus was a Corinthian and knew well how to use his Greek wit with a Roman valour Nor peace nor war could â—ver-march him He triumpht over the Tuâ—cains and was the first which entred the City in Chariotroyal drawn with four horses and first indeed that ordained the vestments and ensigns of
honour which were after in frequent use to stir up the souldier to deserving actions 11 Their sixth Servius Tâ—llius was so dâ—xâ—erous in his rule that no person past him almost without equity of his wealth years worth employments for which special purpose he distinguished the people by several Tribes and overlookth all by this method with as much ease as a nimble housewife doth her private family 12 Tarquinius Superbus was the seventh and last King proud and cruel yet that too though it cost him his Crown enlarged the Kingdom to the Romans for it prevailed upon many strong Provinces of Italy which they after enjoyed with better hearts and ruled with more equity than he used in the unjust oppression of his neighbours His name was grown odious when the lust of his Son Tarquinius wronged the chaste Lucretia both together stirred the people to disâ—obe him of his Title and bethink themselves of some other form of government which might sound more of the Romaâ— liberty 13 This variety had took up hitherto scarce 245. years since the City was first built a time too short for her greatness if we compare her with the progress of other Nations yet to her own ensuing fortunes it is esteemed but her child-hood her infancy while she had not yet spake nor the world well heard of her actions farther than her own home and her Countries near about She began now to feel her strength and when she had first freed her self from the oppression of her home bred Tyrant she soon after spread her Arms over all Italy and her fame through most parts of the world Her power was now no more at the disposing of one King but designed over into the hands of two aged and wise Citizens of their own though the best rank and this they were to use rather as â—eoâ—â—es in trust than free possessors wherefore the Romans baulkt their insolency which their last King had before practised both in the name of their new Governours for they were called only Consules à Consulendo and in their term of Government for it became now annual which was not before limited unless by death and lastly by their ensigns of state their twelve lictors and fasces which were not allowed to both but to each in turns for their several month And this went on without breach almost six years till the Romans thought fit to correct their Laws by the Greek Copy and therefore deputed three of their best esteemed subjects to see Athens to peruse their orders and customs of which the world had then a great opinion for it was indeed the mother of learning 14 They returned them written at first in ten tables made of brass two more were soon after added and together were distinguished from their own municipal laws by the name of Leges 12. tabularum The Consuls power was now taken off and thus was their rule of justice put into the hands of ten whom they called Decemviri Each ruled in his turn and for that course had a power well-nigh as large as their Kings or Consuls else differed little at other times from a private Romane This began some 303 years after their first founder and had continued but three when Appius laid false claim to Virginia for his bond-maid that indeed he might dishonour her as his strumpet By this means he doubly provoked the Commons both with her injuries and her fathers sorrow who was forced to murder his own daughter to quit her from the lust of the Decemviri and therefore they took revenge not upon him only but his office abrogated the Decemviratus and returned the authority into the hands of Consuls as before yet so as oft times by intercourse the Tribuni militum put in for a consulary soveraignty and was admitted to the same dignity though not the name which the Patricii only referred to themselves as their royalty It was first procured by the importunate motion of the Commons that they might be equally capable of the Consulship To this though the nobility would not give their full assent in all circumstances yet they were constrained for their own peace to yield in effect and mince it with another title of Tribuni plebis Consulari potâ—state 15 Under these forms of government for three hundred years after the fall of Tarquinnius to Appius Claudius and Q Fulvius Coss. They were still in growth but not yet come to their state of honours and therefore Florus rightly styles it the youth of Rome in comparison to the age of man In this while their most famous stories are the war with Porsenna some eight years after their first Consuls the creation of Dictators and Tribunes of the People within twenty the injuries of M. Coriolanus and attempt against his own Country not long after the construction of many set Laws which continued in force to after ages the Lex agâ—aria Publia de Aventino Tarpâ—ia of the twelve Tables Clodia Aeâ—â—ilia de Ambitu de Mulctis c. The Censors fiâ—st created about 68 years after the Regifugium the conspiracy of the servants some 92 after many victories in the interim and Rome her self at last taken by the Gaules but freed by Camillus about the 120. Marcus Curtiâ—s casts himself into the pit to preserve his Country more Laws are made the first Punikâ— war waged all within 120 and odd years after Rome was surprised some 28 after that the Bellum Ligusticum and Ianus Temple the second time shut then the Bellum Illyricum Gallicum Ciâ—alpinum and the last of this age the second Punike war 16 By this time Italy was subdued and now she swept on with full sayl and confirmed strength and about twenty after was able to resist the Macedonian made war with Perses set on to the third Punike war wasted Carthage and then Numantea took Arms against Iugurtha all in less compass of years than one hundred and about this time was the Eagle took up by Marius for the Roman ensign Soon after was the Bellum Marsicum and Mithridaticum Catilines conspiracy and the noble acts of those great Heroes Scylla and Cicero Câ—sâ—r and Pompey and the rest which removed the Greek Empire to Româ— and made her the seat of the fourth Monarchy about seven hundred and three years after the City was built forty eight before Christ. 17 Hitherto though with some change and curb they continued the succession of Consuls till Iulius Caesar returned from Spain with victory over Pompeys sons and then the Senate expressing more worship to him than foresight of their own future mischief invented new titles of singular honour call him Pater patriae Câ—nsul in Decennium Dictator in perpetuum Sacrosanctus and Imperator all which himselfe made good not in bare name only as perhaps they meant but in short space gathered a power equal to their flaâ—tery and by his own strength kept what was only theiâ—s to give till by Brutus and Cassius he was slaiâ— in the Senate and
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
sua prole velut quodam examine totam Asiam replerunt Tantus inde terroâ— Gallici nominis armorum invectaque fâ—licitâ—s â—rat in illis diebâ—s ut râ—ges orientis siâ—e â—â—rcenario â—â—ruâ— exerâ—itu ulla-bella gerere non prâ—suâ—eâ—ent nequepulsi à râ—gno ad alios quam ad Gallos conâ—ugerâ—â—t Non enim aliter Majâ—stâ—tem suam tutari â—â—quâ— amisâ—am reâ—â—pâ—rare se posse nisi Gallicâ— virtute arbitrabantur Itaqâ—e in auxilium regis Bithiâ—â—iâ—â—vocati regâ—â—m cum eo peractâ— victâ—riâ— diviserunt eamque regionem â—â—llo-Graeciam cognominavâ—runt which we now call Gallatia And thus for a time their Victories carried all before them yet at last they had their turn too of ill Fortune were expulsed Roâ—e by Câ—miâ—â—â—â— fared as their neighbours did and became tributary to the â—mpire 4 Then did the name of Gallia comprehend a large portion of Europâ— besides that which we now call â—rance and was divided by the antient in Cisalpinam which indeed was a part of Italy that which we now call Lombâ—rdy and Transalpinam which Pliny calâ—s Comata from the curled â—air of the Inhabitanâ—s and Ptolomy Celto Galatiam as the Greeks gave it Nor yet was this equal to the name of France but was again divided by Caesar in his Commentaries 1 in Belgiâ—am which for the most part belongs to Germany 2 Celtican and 3 Aquitaniam After him Ptolomy gives a third â—ivision into four parts 1 Aquitaniam 2 Lugdnnensem the same with Caesars Celtica 3 Narbonenâ—em or Braccatam and 4 â—elgicam 5 We must here pass by the out-reaches of Belgia and the rest and confine our tract to those partâ— which are governed by one King And though it retain still the antique appellation which the Inhaâ—itauts received from the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for their beauty and white colour yet is â—t best and most properly known by the name of Francâ— from the Franci or Francones a people of Germany that over-ran these parts and subdued most of them to themselves 6 Now the limits of this new Gallia or Frâ—nce are West ward the Pyrenean Mountains which divide her from Spain and run cross the Isthmus that joyns both the Kingdoms They were very famous for rich Mines insomuch that being once fired by Shepherds thâ— gold and silver run streaming down into the lower Countries called up the Inhabitants to prey and was the first occasion of a forein entry upon those parts East-ward it lieth upon Germany Southâ—Eâ—st it is sevâ—red with the Alpes from Italy Northward it is bounded with our English Seas and South-ward with the Mediterraneum Her chief Rivers reckoned by Maginus are 1 Garnana Garone the greatest 2 Ligeris Loyre the sweetest 3 Sâ—quana or Seyne the richest 4 Rhodanus Rosne the swiftest to these we may add 5 Some upon which standeth Amicus 7 Her air is healthful and her grounds fertile abounds almost with all commodities that may make her one of the happiest Regions in Christendome yet her greatest plenty is of Corn Wine and Salt which she distributes among her neighbouring Nations and enricheth her self with such commodities from them as are not so fully afforded within her own limits The women do partake of their Countries fruitfulness Insomuch that as the earth is scarce able to bear her plenty so her plenty could hardly sustain her people had she not a vent for them into Spain Italy Germany England and other Countries And yet were there long since reckoned Habitatores â—upra quindecin milliones inter quos octodecim millia nobillium by Maginus 8 In so great a multitude we must look to find as much variety of customes and dispositions It was the report of Caesar long since and seconded by a late authentick Author Gallicas gentes lingua legibus institutis inter se differre multa tamen multis esse communia For the most part they are of a fiery spirit for â—he first onset in any action but will â—oon flagg They desire change of Fortunes and pass not greatly whether to better or worse Their women very joâ—und of a voluble tougue and as free of their speech complemental to strangers and win more by their wit than their beauty one and t'other are great enticers of mens affections and they enjoy them as freely and securely without either check of conscience or care of report It is esteemed Vitium gentile and indeed they can hardly hear ill for it from any there which is not equally guilty Very factious not only in carriage or publick affairs but in their private families which proceeds for the most part from a selfâ—conceit of their own wit and wealth and those will hardly admit a superior Their Nobility have been reported to be liberal but I suppose that fashion is now worn out My self have specially noted the contrary in divers which respect their purse more than their honour and let pass the service and deserts of worthy persons unrewarded as if their gracious acceptance were a sufficient return of thanks for any office a man can do them They are practised to this garb by their pesantry whom they reckon but as slaves and command as their proper servants which the poor sneaks take as a favour and are glad to be employed by their betters that by their protection they may stand more free from the injury of their equals For the meanest of them are cruel and affect to oppress their adversary either by open violence or suit in Law though to their own ruin They are very ready to take Arms and serve in the defence of King and Country need no more press than the stroke of a Drum but are as rash in their atchievements They will not wait upon Counsel but run as far on as upon their strength they may and when they find that fails they will as soon give ground 9 It hath had heretofore and yet breeds men of great esteem for Learning and Religion St. Bernard Calvin Beza and Ramus were French and many others both of the Romish and Reformed Churches For as yet the people stand divided betwixt both but not equally The Papists are like to continue the stronger hand as long as their holy Father shall make murther a meritorious act For by their several Massacres they have destroyed many assemblies of the Hugonotes as they call them The greatest I think that ever was practised by such as had entertained the name of Christians was at Paris in the year 1572. when above thirty thousand souls suffered Martyrdom and among the rest some Personages of great worth and note 10 It is subject to a Monarchical government weilded by one sole and absolute King which bears the Title of the Christian King of France his eldest son the Dauphin of France By their Salique Law no woman or her heirs may inherit how justly I may not determine But yet the English have good reason to examine the Equity For it cost our Edward the Third his Crown of France to which
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
called Pintâ—hâ— a stately and pleasant Seat the Royal Mansion of the King of the Nahissans who is an absolute Monarch About fifty miles from Sapon is Akâ—â—atzy a small but well-peopled Island lying upon the direct course of the River and bearing South and by West governed by two Kings the one Superintendent over their Martial affairs the other over their Hunâ—ing and Husbandry Thirty miles farther South-west from Akenatzy are the Oâ—nock Indians dwelling in a Town built round a Field in which they usually practice their sports and exercises of activity Their Houses are built some of Reed and Bark some of Watling and Plaister Their Government is Democratical Fourteen miles South-west of the Oenocks dwell the Shackory Indians whose Countrey abounds in Antimony Forty miles farther South-west is Watary Thirty miles farther Westward is Sara lying more towards that ridge of the Apalatâ—an Mountains by the Spaniards called Suala where great quantities of Cinabar are found South-west from thence is Wisacky over a continued marish ground overgrown with reeds this Town is subject to the King of Ushery on which also this King hath his Royal Seat about three miles from the Town and this is the utmost Town South-west that I find mentioned belonging to Carolina To the North over the Suala Mountains lie the Rickockans but back again North-east returning on the other side of the River toward Virginia is the Town of Katearas a place of notable Trade and the Seat of the proud Emperor of the Toskiroros called Kascusara or Kascous There are also the Towns of Kasriocam and Mencherink which though on the Virginian side of the River Rorenock yet are accounted rather belonging to Carolina The Countrey as it is now in possession of the English is divided and governed according to a platform and model drawn up by my Lord Shaftsbury with the consent and approbation of the rest of the Lords Proprietors judged by many serious persons that have perused it of equal advantage to the Inhabitants with any that ever hath been yet experienced in respect of the equal ballance of the interests of all parties The whole Province is divided into several Counties each containing forty square plats of 12000 acres a piece of these square plats eight are to be divided among the Lords Proprietors that is each to have one with the title of a Signory eight more among the Nobility of which there are to be three in every County a Landgrave and two Cassiques only the Landgrave to have double the proportion to the two Cassiques that is four to their two a piece the rest containing 24 acres falls to the people and this division is to be observed alike in every County by which means one fifth of the Land comes to the Proprietors another to the Nobility and three to the People The Signories or Lands belonging to the Proprietors are to be hereditary and descend with the Dignity to their Heirs and in like manner the Baronies The Parliament which is to be Biennial is to consist of the Proprietors the Nobility and for the people one chosen out of every District by the Freeholders which representatives are to have a free Vote in the making of Laws the force whereof is determined to set a time viz. sixty years or thereabouts to prevent the incumbrances and mischiefs arising from the multiplicity of rules and penalties which the longer a Law continues are liable to be increased and perplexed by the cunning of such as make a gain by the practice of the Law Besides the Parliament which hath the Legislative Power there are eâ—ght supreme Courts for the dispatch of all publick affairs The first is that of the Palatine for so the eldest of the Proprietors is stil'd who hath power to call Parliaments and dispose of publick affairs The second is the Chief Iustices for the judging of Criminals and trial of Causes about Right and Propriety The third is the Chancellor's Court which is for the passing of Charters and managing the grand affairs belonging to the Province The fourth is the High-Constablâ—s which is for the ordering of the Land-Militia The fifâ—h is the Admirals for the disposing of the Naval-Forces and other Maritime affairs The sixth is the High Stewards which inspects into the business of Trade The seventh is the Treasurers which looks after the incomes and disbursements of the publick Stock or Treasury The eighth is the Chamberlain's which marshals and orders the ceremonies and fashions in all great Marriages Burials and publick Solemnities All these Courts each of which consists of one Proprietor and six Counsellors whereof two are chosen by the Nobility and two by the People joyned together make up the Council of State or Grand Council by which all affairs of highest concernment are managed and to which the last appeal lies in all Causes belonging to them There is also a Court in every County and in every District another in each of which to prevent long Suits whereby the people suffer only to enrich a numerous Tribe of glib-tongu'd Orators no Cause is tried above once only an appeal to be made from an inferior to a superior Court till it come to the Proprietors Court where the last determination is made without farther appeal neither indeed are there any mercenary Pleaders allowed And farther to prevent the occasion of Controversies and Sâ—â—â—s in Law there is to be a Register of all Grants and Conveyances of Land Lastly to prevent all disturbance and annoyance to publick or private weal and safety strict enquiry is to be made into the conversations of such as shall be found to have neither estates not employments such provision being to be made as shall take away all excuses of following illegal courses nor are any to be suffered to make a Trade of begging who have ability of body and are obliged by necessity to work since it is apparent that idleâ—ess and beggery are the source of all those villanies which by the hand of Iustice bring so many to untimely ends whose lives might otherwise haply have one way or other conduced to the service of their King or Countrey and that it must needs be much more advantagious to the publick to prevent the necessity of inflicting capital punishments than to inflict them when deserved As to the Government in point of Religious affairs there is only this to be observed that a free toleration and liberty of Conscience is granted to all excepting in the case of Atheism Profaneness and debauchery of life as destructive to all Government and humane Society whereas ceremonies and indifferent circumstances in Religion are judged to tend most to disturbance when most strictly and rigorously imposed A Map of EAST INDIA The Description of India INDIA by the Ancients simply so denominated but by the Moderns sirnamed Orientalis for distinction sake in regard America or the new found World is usually stil'd India Occidentalis or the West-Indies is that Region of Asia which under one appellation