themselves In St. Cleere's-Parish in Cornhil there are upon a Plain 6 or 8 Stones such as are upon Salisbury-Plain which like them too will be mistaken in their telling so that when they are told over again they will be found either more or less than before At Hall near Foy is a Fagot all of one piece of Wood naturally grown so and it is wrapped about with a Band and parted at the ends into 4 Sticks one of which Sticks is subdivided into two others It was carefully preserved many years by the Earl of Devon being reckoned as a fore-token of his Progeny for his Estate is now come into the hands of 4 Cornish Gentlemen one of whose Estates is divided between two Heirs In Landers Park there grows an Oak that bears Leaves speckled with white and another the like in East Hundred called Painters Oak There are 2 Lakes near St. Agnes Hill in one of them Fish will live and thrive but not in the other By Helford is a great Rock lying upon the ground the top whereof is hollow which holdeth water and ebbs and flows as the Sea doth Mainamber a very great Rock in this Shire lyes or resteth upon other smaller Rocks and the push of a finger will sensibly move it to and fro but all the force which men can use cannot move it from its place About 40 years since upon the Shore of this Shire was found by a Fisherman a huge mass of Ambergrease Among the many Ports Bays and Havens this Countrey hath about it that of Falmouth is so copious that 100 Ships may therein ride at Anchor apart by themselves so that from the tops of their highest Masts they shall not see each other and yet lye all safe under wind At Boskenna is a Trophy erected which are 18 Stones placed round pitched 12 foot each from other and another in the Centre far bigger than the rest to shew some Victory there obtained by the Romans or K. Athelston In many Places hereabouts are pieces of Armour both for Horse and Man digged out of the ground Cumberland IS bounded on the East by Northumberland and Westmorland On the West by the Irish Sea On the South by Westmorland and Lancashire and on the North by Scotland It containeth in length 56 Miles in breadth 32 Miles and in Circumference 173 Miles The Air is sharp and piercing but is much mitigated by the Northern Hills which break the Storm and falling Snow The Soil is fertile for the most part both for Corn and Cattle and the Maritime places are well furnished with Fish and Fowl and the Rivers bear a kind of Muscle that beareth Pearl The chief Commodities are Sheep Copper Brass Cole Fowl Fish Cloath and Black Lead It is in the Diocess of Chester and Carlisle and hath in it 58 Parishes Out of it are Elected 6 Members to sit in Parliament Knights 2 Carlisle 2 Cockermouth This County is not divided into Hundreds the former In it are contained 15 Market-Towns Cockermouth Mond Wigton Tuesday Brampton Tuesday Perith Tuesday Bootle Wednesday Whitehaven Thurs Ireby Thursday Kirk-swald Thurs Longtown Thursday Aston Moor Saturday Carlisle Saturday Egremont Saturday Ravenglas Saturday Keswick Saturday Abbeyholm Saturday The chief City in this Shire is Carlisle lying in the Latitude of 55 deg 0 min. Bearing from London N. N. W. and distant therefrom 2â—â— Miles Thus To Warington 136. To Lancaâ—â— 187. To Kendall 203. To Carlisle 235. But 〈◊〉 more accurate admeasurement upon the Roâ—â— 301 Miles This City is pleasantly seated betwixt the 〈◊〉 Rivers Eden Petterell and Cand. In the days 〈◊〉 Egfrid K. of Northumberland was walled about and again defaced by the Danes and so conâ—â—nued 200 years till the time of K. Rufus wâ—â— rebuilt the Castle and placed therein a Coloâ—â— of Flemings This County hath formerly been strengthenâ—â— with 25 Castles which were dissolved by Kâ—â—â— Henry the 8th The Earls of Carlisle since the first Constitution are Hen. Clifford Earl of Cumberland Marcatus Earls of Carlisle Ron. Meschems Earls of Carlisle Andrew Harkley Earls of Carlisle James Hay Earls of Carlisle Charles Howard Earls of Carlisle Prince Rupert Duke of Cumberland The Coat Armor of the City Carlisle is Argent a Castle between two Roses Or In a Chief Gules a Lyon Passant Gardant of the second The Base Wavy Argent and Sable The Principal things remarkable in this County are The Picts Wall extending through the main Land from Sea to Sea built all of Stone it was 8 foot broad and 12 high and from the West Seat to the mouth of Tine in length near 100 Miles ascending and descending over great Crags and high Hills the track whereof in many places is yet to be seen At the end of every thousand Paces there was erected a Watch-Tower in which Soldiers were kept for the securing of the same At Salcelds upon the River Eden is a Trophy of Victory erected called by the Inhabitants Long Meg and her Daughters This Monument consists of 77 Stones each 10 foot high above ground and one of them namely Long Meg is 15 foot high Skiddaw-Hill riseth up with two mighty high heads and beholds Scruffell-Hill in Scotland By the mists rising and falling upon this Hill they foresee the change of weather and signifie the same by this Proverb If Skiddaw have a Cap Scruffell wots full well of that In this County there are two other exceeding high Hills viz. Lavvellin and Casticand Upon the Shore of this Shire Trees are many times at Low water discovered by the blowing of the Wind which at other times are covered with Sand. And Trees without Boughs are often digged out of the mossy places which in the Summer time the Countrey People discover by the direction of the dew for the dew never stands upon those places under which these Trees lye Upon the Picts Wall grow Vulnerary Plants which the Scotch Chirurgeons make annual journies to gather which they suppose were first planted by the Romans Derbyshire IS bounded on the East by Nottinghamshire On the West by Staffordshire On the South by Leicestershire And on the North by Yorkshire It containeth in length 34 Miles In breadth 26. And in Circumference 130 Miles The temperature of the Air of this Shire as most of the Inland Counties of England are is very wholsom The Soyl in the South and East Parts very rich but the North and West Parts very hilly with a black and mossy barren ground These two different Soils are severed by the River Derwent the Water whereof in some places is made black by the Earth it passeth by The Commodities of this Shire are Milstones Crystal Alabaster Whetstones And in the Peak Pit-Cole Iron and Lead It is in the Diocess of Lichfield and Coventry and hath in it 106 Parishes Out of it are elected 4 Parliament Men. Knights 2 Derby 2 Its Division is into Six Hundreds viz. Highis Peak Hund. Scarsdale Hund. Workesworth Hund. Appletree Hund. Ofap Hund. Reppington Hund. And
The Commodities that this Shire principally affords besides many others are Cloath Stockins Corn Cattle Knives Spurs c. It is in the Diocess of York and hath in it 563 Parishes Out of it are elected 29 Members to fit in Parliament Knights 2 York 2 Kingston upon Hull 2 Knaresborough 2 Skaredborough 2 Rippon 2 Richmond 2 Hidon 2 Burrowbrigg 2 Malton 2 Thirske 2 Aldeborough 2 Beverly 2 North-Allerton 2 Pomfret 2 Its Division is into Hundreds as are most of the Counties in England of which this is divided into 26. But because of the largeness thereof it is first divided into three Parts called Ridings viz. The East Riding The West Riding The North Riding And each of these Ridings have their several Hundreds and those Hundreds their respective Market Towns as followeth viz. The East Riding is divided into 4 Hundreds viz. Buccrosse Dickering Holdernesse Ouse and Derwent And in this Riding are these 8 Market-Towns viz. Hull Tu. and Sat. Beverly Wed. and Sa. Wighton Wednes Kilham Th. Headon Sat. Bridlington Sat. Howder Sat. Packlington Sat. The West Riding is divided into 10 Hundreds viz. Stancliffe Claro Ansty Barkston Skirink Motley Aggerage Osgoderosse Strasforth Staincrosse And in this Riding are 24 Market-Towns viz. Rotheram Monday Selby Mon. Leedes Tuesday and Saturday Otley Tues Settle Tues Sheffield Tues Barnesby Wednes Knaresborow Wed. Hallifax Thursday Wakefield Thursday and Friday Bradforth Thurs Wetherly Thurs Tadcaster Thurs Rippon Thurs Snathe Friday Ripley Friday Tickhill Saturday Bantrey Sat. Doncaster Sat. Sherborn Sat. Pontefract Sat. Borough Bridge Sat. Skipton Sat. Thorne The North Riding is divided into 12 Hundreds viz. Gilling West Gilling East Allerton Langborgh Whitbystand Pickering Ridall Bulmar Burford Hallikeld Hang East Hang West And in this Riding are 17 Market-Towns viz. Pickering Mond Gisborough Mond Thruske Mond Beda Tues Masham Tues Kirby moreside Wed North Allerton Wed. Abberforth Wedn. Scarborough Th. Yarum Thurs York Thursday and Saturday Malton Sat. Helmley Sat. Whitby Sat. Stokesly Sat. Richmond Sat. Askrigg The principal place in this large County is York the second City in England It lies in the Latitude of 53 deg 58 min. It bears from London N. by W. And is distant therefrom 150 miles Thus From London to Waltham-Crosse 12 miles to Ware 20. to Royston 33. to Caxton 42. to Huntingden 48. to Stamford 69. to Grantham 85. to Newark 95. to Tuxford 104. to Doncaster 122. to Wentbridge 129. to Tadcaster 141. to York 150. But being measured upon the Road the distance is found to be 192 miles from London This City saith Speed is a pleasant place large and full of Magnificence rich and populous in all which it over-masters all the other places of this County and it is not only strengthned with Fortifications but adorned with Magnificent Buildings both Private and Publick It is an Episcopal See a Metropolitan City and in it is a most famous Library It is Governed by a Lord Maior 12 Aldermen many Chamberlains a Recorder a Town-Clerk 6 Sergeants at Mace and 2 Esquires which are a Sword-bearer and a Common Sergeant who with a large Mace goeth on the left hand of the Sword The Arms of the City of York is Argent on a Cross Gules 5 Lyons Passant Guardant Or. Besides this City of York there are two other Places of note not to be forgotten viz. Richmond and Hull The Arms of Richmond is Gules an inner border Argent over all a Bend Dexter Ermine The Arms of Hull is Azure 3 Corronets in Pale Or. The Arms of such Families as have born the Dignity of Earls of Richmond and Holdernesse since the Conquest Allen E. of Brittain and Richmond Earl of Richmond John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster Earl of Richmond Geffery 4th Son to K. Henry the 2d Earl of Richmond John D. of Brittain Earl of Richmond Gray Viscount Tours Earl of Richmond Ralph E. of Westmoreland Earl of Richmond Ralph E. of Chester Earl of Richmond John D. of Bedford Earl of Richmond Peter de Dreux Earl of Richmond Humphrey Duke of Gloucester Earl of Richmond Peter de Savoy Earl of Richmond Edmond Haddam Earl of Richmond John D. of Brittain Earl of Richmond Henry fits Roy D. Earl of Richmond Earls of Holdernesse Drugo de Buerer Earl of Holdernesse Stephen de Bloys Earl of Holdernesse William de Mendevile Earl of Holdernesse Baldwin de Beton Earl of Holdernesse William de Fortibus Earl of Holdernesse Edward E. of Rutland Earl of Holdernesse There are lately added by His Majesty K. Charles II. these following viz. Lodowick Stuart D. of Richmond John Ramsey E. of Richmond Rupert Count Palatine of the Rhyne E. of Holdernesse Things Remarkable in this County Upon Palm-Sunday in the year 1461. was a Battel fought in the Quarrel between Lancaster and York in which England never saw more Nobility and Gentry nor a more puissant Army in the Field for there were there at one time on both sides 100 Thousand fighting men When the Fight had continued doubtful a great part of the day the Lancasterians not being able longer to continue the force of their Enemies turned back and fled away and such as took part with York pursued them so hotly that they killed many of their Nobility and Gentry and that day were slain on both sides 30 thousand English-men About Pontefract and Knaresborough grows great quantities of Liquorice In some parts of this Shire near Sherbourn are Quarries whose Stones when first taken out of the Quarries are very soft but seasoned with Wind and Weather they become very hard and durable Other parts of this Shire produce a Lime-stone which being burnt serves to enrich and manure those Lands that are cold and hilly At the suppression of the Abbies in the days of K. Henry the 8th in a certain Chappel in York a Lamp was found burning in a Vault or Sepulchre under ground wherein Constantine the Emperour was supposed to have been Buried About Sheffield in this Shire are many Iron-Mines About the year of Christ 759. the Town of Doncaster was burnt by Fire from Heaven The Inhabitants about Dichmarsh and Marshland are of opinion that the Land there is hollow or hanging and that as the Waters rise the Land is also heaved up Near unto Bratherton is a yellow kind of Marle found which being cast upon the Fields causeth them to bear good Corn for many years together Not far from the Abby of Fountains there are Lead-Mines Near unto Burrough Bridge are certain Pyramids standing which are supposed to have been made of a factitious Stone compounded of pure Sand Lime Vitrials and other unctious matter Under Knaresborough is a Well called Dripa Well in which the Water springs not out of the Veins of the Earth but distills from the Rocks which hang over it The Water of this VVell saith Speed turns VVood into Stone for VVood put into it will shortly after be covered over with a Stony Bark and at length become Stone At Giggleswick in
And in Circumference 116 miles This Shire hath a very Temperate Air and is generally the pleasantest place in all South Wales For the Soil it is but barren and very hilly the plainest part is that towards the Sea-Coasts which yieldeth plenty of Grain and is most Inhabited The Mountainous part is replenished with Cattel upon whose Hills you may behold whole herds The chief Commodities are Corn Cattel and Sheep It is in the Diocess of Landaffe and hath in it 118 Parishes Out of it are elected 2 Parliament Men. It s Division is into 10 Hundreds viz. Llangevelach Swanzey Neath Newcastle Ogmor Llantrissent Dexispowys Cardiff Caerfily Cowbridge And in these Hundreds are 9 Market-Towns viz. Cowbridge Tues Cardiff Wed. and Satur. Swanzey W. and S. Caerphilly Thurs Penrise Thurs Llantrissent Frid. Bridgend Sat. Neath Saturd Glamorgan The Principal place in this Shire is Landaffe which is the Bishops See It lies in the Latitude of 51 deg 35 Minutes It bears from London West And is distant therefrom 126 miles Thus From London to Monmouth 99. as in Monmouthshire to Landaffe 126. But by more accurate admeasurement upon the Road it is found to be distant from London 163 miles At Tave is a Harbour for Ships and by that means is a friend to the Town which is governed by a Maior yearly elected out of 12 Aldermen and assisted by 12 other Burgesses a Town-Clerk 4 Constables and 2 Sergeants with Maces Things Remarkable in this Shire Upon the top of a Hill called Minyd-morgan is a Monument with a strange Character which the Dwellers thereabouts say If any man read the same he will die shortly after Upon the River Ogmore and near unto Newton in a sandy plain about 500 foot from Severn there springs a Well the water whereof is not very clear in which at full Sea in the Summer time can hardly any water be gotten but at the Ebb of the Tide it bubleth up amain And it is observed that this Spring never riseth up to the brink or overfloweth At Abarbarry in this Shire is a Cave under the bottom of a Hill and on the top of it a gaping chink And when the Wind is gathered into that hole and tossed too and fro in the womb of it there is heard as it were a Musical sound like that of Cymbals Giraldus affirms saith Speed That in a Rock or Clift upon the Sea-side and Island Barry lying near the South-east point of this County is heard out of a little chink the noise as it were of Smiths at their work one while the blowing of Bellows to increase the heat then the strokes of the Hammer and sound of the Anvil sometimes the noise of the Grindstone in grinding of Iron Tools Then the hissing Sparks of Steel Gads as they fly from their heating with the puffing noise of Flames in a Furnace Merioneth-Shire THis Shire is bounded on the East by Montgomeryshire On the West by the Irish Sea On the South by Cardiganshire And on the North by Carnarvanshire and Denbyshire It containeth in length 38 miles In breadth 28 miles And in Circumference 111 miles The Air is indifferent wholsom The Soil is very barren and it is very full of spired Hills being the most Mountainous County in all Wales Caernarvanshire excepted And the Shire is subject to very great winds The Commodities that this Shire affordeth are Sheep Fish Fowl and Cottons It is in the Diocess of Bangor and in it are 37 Parishes Out of it is elected only one Member of Parliament Knight 1 Its Division is into 6 Hundreds viz. Ardydwy Penllyn Ydeirmon Talybont Ystymanael Mowthy In these Hundreds are 3 Market-Towns viz. Belgelhe Tuesday Harlech Saturday Bala Saturday The principal Town in this Shire is Harlech which lyes in the Latitude of 53 deg 5 min. It bears from London N. W. by W. And is distant therefrom 176 miles Thus From London to Shrewsbury 124 miles as in Shropshire to Welshpool 137 miles to Harlech 176 miles But by an exact admeasurement upon the Road it is found to be distant from London 218 miles This Town standeth bleak enough and hath but few Inhabitants neither are their Houses many and those but of ordinary Building It is annually governed by a Maior Things Remarkable in this County Near unto Bala is a great Pool of VVater that drowns at least 160 Acres of Ground whose Nature is as the Inhabitants report such That the high Land-Floods though never so great do not make at any time this Pool to swell bigger But if the Air be troubled with violent Tempests of Wind it then riseth above its Banks The River Dee saith Speed runneth into this Pool with a sharp Stream and slides through it without mixture of VVaters In this Pool is bred the Fish called Guiniad which is never seen in Dee And in Dee Salmons are taken which are never found in this Pool Upon the Sea-Coasts of this Shire great store of Herrings are taken Monmouth-Shire IT is bounded on the East by Gloucestershire On the West by Brecknock and Glamorganshire On the South by Severn And on the North by Herefordshire It containeth in length 29 miles In breadth 20 miles And in Circumference 84 miles The Air is temperate healthful and cleer The Soil is Hilly Woody and Rich all places fruitful and none barren The Hills are grazed upon by Cattel and Sheep and the Valleys are laden with Corn and Grass The chief Commodities of this Shire are Cattel Corn and Sheep It is in the Diocess of Llandaff and in it are 127 Parishes Out of it are elected 3 Members to sit in Parliament It s Division is into 6 Hundreds viz. Wenlooge Abergaveny Skenfrith Ragland Caldicot The Moor. And in these Hundreds are 7 Market-Towns viz. Vske Mon. Frid. Abergavenny Tues Caerlyon Thurs Monmouth Sat. Cheapstow Sat. Newport Sat. Pont Poole Sat. The principal place in this Shire is the City of Monmouth situate in the Latitude of 51 deg 57 min. It bears from London W. by N. And is distant therefrom 99 miles Thus From London to Gloucester 82 miles as in Gloucestershire to Monmouth 99. But by a more accurate admeasurement upon the Road it is found to be 127 miles distant from London This Towns situation is pleasant and good seated between the Rivers of Monnow and Wye it hath 3 Gates for entrance besides the Lock or Tower at the Bridge It is a Town of good repute and well frequented It is governed by a Maior 2 Bailiffs 15 Common-Councellors a Town-Clerk and 2 Sergeants for their Attendants The Earls and Dukes of Monmouth are Robert Carey Earl of Monmouth James Scot Duke of Monmouth Things Remarkable in this County The two Rivers of Uske and Wye are full of Salmon and Trouts At Chepstow the River Wye riseth to an exceeding great height At Lanthony Abby saith Cambden the Rain which the Mountains breed falls very often The VVind blows strong and almost all the Winter it is continually
Saturd Wisbich Saturd Ely Saturd The Principal Town in this Shire is Cambridg which as Robert de Reymington tells us was made a University in the Reign of King Edward the First but far more ancient if it be true that is said it was built by Cantabar a Spaniard 375 years before the Birth of Christ However This University is situate in the Latitude of 52 deg 12 min. and lies N. by E. from London and is distant therefrom 44 Miles As from London to Waltham 12 Miles to Ware 20. to Puckeridge 25. to Barkway 32. to Cambridge 44 But by a more accurate Admeasurement the distance of Cambridge upon the Road is 52 Miles The University of Cambridge consisteth of these several Colledges and Halls viz. Colledges and Halls Founded by Anno Domini St. Peters-House Hugh de Balsham B. of Ely 1284. Clare-Hall Richard Badow C. of the Uni 1326. Pembrook-Hall Mary St. Paul 1343. Convile and Cajus Edmund de Genn and Cajus 1348. Trinity-Hall Will. Bateman B. of Norwich 1350. Corpus-Christi H. of Monmouth D. of Lancaster 1351. Kings-Colledge K. Henry the VI. 1441. Queens-Colledge Margaret Wife to K. Henry the VI. 1448. Katharine-Hall Robert Wood Lord Chan. of the Uni 1475. Jesus-Colledge John Alcock Ch. of England 1496. Christ's and S. John's Margaret Countess of Richmond 1505. 1508. Magdalen Tho. Andley Chan. of England 1519. Trinity K. Henry the VIII 1546. Emanuel S. Walter Mildmay C. of the Exch. 1582. Sidney Sussex Francis Sidney Chan. of Sussex 1598. The Town of Cambridge is Governed by a Mayor and Aldermen Cambridge-Arms The Field is Gules a Bridge with three Wall-Towers on it Proper In Chief a Flower-de-luce Or between two Roses Argent The Names of the Earls of Cambridge since the first Constitution William Brother to Ranulph E. of Chester John of Benand Uncle to Philip Q. to Edw. III. William Marquess of Juers Edmund of Langley D. of York Edward D. of York Richard E. of Cambridge Richard D. of York James D. Hamlinton Charles Stuart Duke of York Sussex and Sidney Collateral Remarques in this County The Herb called Scordium or Water-Germander groweth very plentifully in the Fens of which the Cordial Diascordium is made Water-Fowl are so plentiful about the Fens that saith Mr. Speed five Men may be well satisfied with that kind of food for less than an half-penny In the Fen-Grounds also when they have mowen their Grass or Lie as they call it which is very rank so much as will serve their turns they do in November set fire on the rest and the season following it comes up again in abundance Cheshire IT is bounded on the East by Darbyshire and Staffordshire On the West by Denbyshire and Flintshire On the South by Shropshire and Denbyshire On the North by Lancashire It containeth in Length 45 Miles In Breadth 32 Miles And in Circumference 145 Miles The Air for temperature and the Soil for fertility is inferior to none and far exceeding the neighbouring Counties although the Climate be cold yet the warmth of the Irish Seas melt the Snow sooner than in other Countries and the Inhabitants are generally long liv'd The chief Commodities are Corn Cattle Sheep Fish Fowl Mil-stones and Cheese plenty and the best in all England It is in the Diocess of Chester and hath in it 85 Parish-Churches and 38 Chappels of Ease And out of this Shire are Elected 4 Members to sit in Parliament Knights 2 Chester 2 It is divided into Seven Hundreds viz. Wicehall Eddesbury Broxton Bucklow Northwich Macclesfield Nantwich And in these 7 Hundreds are 13 Market-Towns Malpas Monday Maxfield Monday Altrincham Tuesday Tarvin Frodsham Wednes Sanbich Thursday Northwich Friday Stopford Friday Nantwich Saturday Middlewich Saturd Congleton Saturday Huntsford Saturday West-Chester Wednesday and Saturday The principal Town in this Shire is the City of Chester lying in the Latitude of 53 deg 16. min. bearing from London North West and distant therefrom 140 Miles thus To Barnet 10 To St. Albans 20 To Dunstable 30 To Brickhil 37 To Stony-Straford 44 To Tocester 50 To Daventry 60 To Coventry 82 To Colesil 90 To Lichfield 102 To Stone 120 To Wich 135 To Chester 150. This City was raised from the Fort of Ostorius Lieutenant of Britain for the Emperor Claudius Over the River Dee is a Stone-Bridge built upon 8 Arches at either end thereof is a Gate and from them Gates issue the Walls of the City in a Quadrangular form high and strongly built In this Wall are 4 Gates 3 Posterns and 7 Watch-Towers On the South part of the City is a stately Castle built in a Circular form and a Court-yard about it enclosed with a circular Wall In the North part is the Minster the Bishop's See This City was incorporated by K. Henry the 7th and is yearly governed by a Maior with Sword and Mace before him 2 Sheriffs 24 Aldermen a Recorder a Town-Clerk and a Sergeant of Peace 4 Sergeants and 6 Yeomen The Arms of the County Palatine of Chester is Azure Three Garbs or Wheatsheaves Or. A Dagger Erect Proper The Arms of the City of Chester is In Pale dexter Gules Three Demy Lyons Guardant Or. The Nobility of this County namely the Earls of Chester since the Norman Conquest Hugh Lupus Richard the Son of Hugh Ranulph Meschines Ranulph Gernones Hugh Cevelioc E. S. Ranulph Blundevil John Scot Earl Things remarkable in this County In the River of Dee is great plenty of Salmon This River upon the fall of much Rain riseth but little but if the South-Wind beat long upon it it swells and overflows the Grounds adjoyning In the lower places of this County on the South-side of Cheshire by the River Wever Trees are oftentimes found by digging under ground which People think have lain hidden there ever since Noah's Flood At Nantwich Northwich and at Middlewich are the famous Salt-Pits of this County It is reported That there are Trees that float in Bagmeer against the death of any of the Heirs of the Breretons and after the Heir is dead they sink and are seen no more till the next occasion Mr. Cambden affirms That the bodies of these Trees swim for certain days together and may be seen of any body And he seconds this Story with another to the like purpose Leonardus Vairus saith he reports That near the Abby of St. Maurice in Burgundy is a Fish-Pond into which are put a number of Fishes equal to the number of Monks of that Place and if any of the Monks happen to be sick there is one of these Fishes seen to float and swim above water as half dead and if the Monk shall die the Fish will also die some few days before In the Parish of Bickley in this County upon the 8th of July 1657. about 3 of the Clock was heard a very great noise like Thunder afar off Upon the hearing whereof two Townsmen going into a Field called the Lay-Field found a very great Bank of Earth which had many tall Oaks
growing on it quite sunk under the ground Trees and all and the Earth for about 20 yards round about it was so shattered and broken that they durst not go near the place where the Bank sunk but since that time by Ropes some have adventured to go to the brink to see the bottom which is Water about 30 yards from the brink and since the Earth about for 16 yards compass is sunk with 3 tall Oaks a tall Awber and other small Trees not one sprig of them to be seen more Land is like to fall daily and when any falls it is much like the Report of a Cannon It is said concerning the Nature and Condition of the People of this County by Lucian the Monk That In Feasting they are friendly At Meat chearful In Entertainment liberal Soon angry and as soon pleased Lavish in Words Impatient of Servitude Merciful to the Afflicted Compassionate to the Poor Kind to their Kindred Spare of Labour Void of Dissimulation And far from dangerous Practices And this more is added by Speed That This Shire hath never been stained with the blot of Rebellion but ever stood true to their King and his Crown Cornwal THis County is bounded on the East by Devonshire On the West and North by the Irish or Virginian Sea And on the South by the British Sea It containeth in Length 70 Miles In Breadth 35 Miles And in Circumference 150 Miles The Air of this County is mightily cleansed by the sharp Gales which blow over it from the several Sea-Coasts making it very pure and subtil and consequently very healthful the County in general except the East end thereof troubled by violent blasts many times leaving their Houses without covers The Soil in most places is hilly separated one from another by narrow Valleys The superficies or upper part of the Land in general is very barren but the inner parts thereof very rich by reason of the great quantities of Tin and Copper-Mines which County continues best stored with that Merchandise of any part of the World besides The Commodities of this County are Copper Tin Fish and Fowl in abundance but Corn and Cattel not so plentiful And besides the Tin and Copper-Mines whose Vein in the lower Valleys at low water may be seen above the ground there are also in some Rocks found Gold and Silver and Diamonds also shaped and polished by nature which Diamonds are not inferior to those so much esteemed save only in blackness and hardness but then they exceed them in magnitude for there are of them found as big as Walnuts It is in the Diocess of Exceter and hath in it 161 Parishes And out of it are elected 44 Members to sit in Parliament Knights 2 Dunhivid alias Lanceston 2 Leskard 2 Loswithell 2 Truroe 2 Bodmyn 2 Helston 2 Saltaishe 2 Camelford 2 Port-Pigham alias Welstow 2 Graw-pound 2 Eastlow 2 Penryn 2 Tregoney 2 Bossiney 2 St. Ives 2 Fowey 2 St. Germins 2 Michell 2 Newport 2 St. Mawes 2 Killington 2 It is divided into 9 Hundreds viz. Penwith Kirri Powder Pider West Trig. Lesnowth East Stratton In which are 21 Market-Towns viz. Stratton Tuesd Truroe We. Sa. Penrin W. F. S. St. Ives We. Fr. St. Colomb Thurs Falmouth Thurs Market Jew Th. Penzanch Thurs St. Germans Frid. Camelford Frid. Listhyel Frid. Foy Sat. East Looe Saltash Padstow Sat. Grampond Sat. Tregnye Sat. Helston Sat. Launston Sat. Liskard Sat. Bodman Sat. The chief Town is Launston lying in the Latitude of 50 deg 42 min. Bearing from London W. S. W. and distant therefrom 170 Miles thus From London to New Brainford 8. To Stanes 12. To Hartley-Row 28. To Basing Stoke 36. To Andover 52. To Salisbury 70. To Shaftsbury 88. To Sherbourn 100. To Axminster 119. To Honiton 126. To Excester 138. To Launston 170. But by more accurate Admeasurement 216. The Dukes and Earls of Cornwal since the first Constitution are Robert de Morton Regnald base Son of William the Conqueror John Son to K. Henry the II. Richard E. of Cornwal and K. of Romans Edward Son to K. Eward I. Pierce Gaveston Earl of Cornwal John of Eltham Earl of Cornwal Edward P. of Wales D. of Cornwal and 2d of Chester Things remarkable in this County The Men of this County are more hardy and strong and so consequently addicted to more boisterous Sports as Wrestling Carrying Pitching the Bar and the like than any English men besides To instance in some few particulars One John Brag carried at his back at one time for the quantity of a Butt length almost 6 Bushels of Wheaten Meal reckoning 15 Gallons to the Bushel and the Miller's Man also a stout fellow of 20 years of age at the same time Also one Kiltor who lying upon his back in Launceston Castle-Green threw a Stone of some pounds weight over the top of one of the high Towers of that Castle These Countreymen are very healthful and long liv'd 80 and 90 years is ordinary One Polzew lived 130 years a Kinsman of his 112 One Beaucham 106 and one Brown a Bowyer 100 And in one Parish in Q. Elizabeth's time there died in 14 Weeks space four People whose ages added together made 340 years And farther One Mr. Chamond who lived at Stratton in this County was Uncle and Great Uncle to at least 300 Persons There is a Stone found here upon the Moors and waste Grounds which they call Moor-stone with which they make Chimney-Pieces Door-Cases and Windows Also another of the colour of grey Marble And the Pebbles here cast upon the Shore are by their working wrought naturally to a round form They have also here of Slate 3 sorts viz. Bley Sage-Colour and Grey In Q. Elizabeth's time a flock of Birds came into Cornwal about Harvest a little bigger than a Sparrow which had Bills thwarted cross-wise at the end with which they would cut an Apple in two at one snap eating only the Kernels which Fowl made a great waste among Apple-trees Almost every Hill in this County sendeth forth Springs of very pleasant and wholsom Water These Countreymen are excellent Archers they commonly shoot 24 score their Arrows being a full yard long wherewith they will pierce any ordinary Armour One Robert Arundel would shoot 12 score out of his right hand with his left hand behind his head And one Rob. Bone shot at a little Bird sitting upon a Cow's back and killed the Bird without touching the Cow Edcomb-House by Plimouth is very rare First For the brave Eccho about it and Secondly For that by it they dig a Stone that serveth for Building Lime Marl and all Some Gentlemen in this County have salt Water-Ponds about their Houses into which if you cast Boughs of Trees Oysters will grow upon them At Saltash is a Well the Water of which will never boyl Pease to an eatable softness The Cement or Mortar of the Walls of Tintogel-Castle resist the fierceness of the Weather more than the Stones
in these Hundreds are 10 Market-Towns viz. Alfreton Monday Bakwell Mond Wirksworth Tuesd Tideswall Wednesd Dronfield Thursday Derby Friday Bolsover Friday Chesterfield Saturday Ashbourn Saturday Drawfield In this Shire have been formerly 7 Castles The Principal or Shire-Town is Derby affording the best Ale in England which they say makes them long liv'd It lyeth in the Latitude of 52 deg 58 min. Bearing from London N. by W. and is distant therefrom 98 miles Thus From London to Northampton 54. To Leicester 78. To Loborough 86. And to Derby 98. But by exact measure upon the Road it is found to be 122 miles and a half This Town of Derby is seated upon the West Bank of Derwent where also a small Brook runneth through the Town under 9 Bridges Besides these there is another Bridge built all of Free Stone over Derwent and upon it is a fair Stone Chappel called St. Maries Chappel In this Town is S. Alhallows Bell-Tower which is both lofty and beautiful it was built at the Charges of Young Men and Maids It is a Town-Corporate with the yearly Government of two Bailiffs which are elected out of 24 Brethren besides as many Burgesses of Common Council a Recorder Town-Clerk and two Sergeants with Maces The Earls of Derby since the Norman Conquest are William Ferres Earl of Derby Edward E. of Lancaster Earl of Derby John of Gant D. of L. Earl of Derby Thomas Stanly Earl of Derby Things remarkable in this County are At Buxton in this County Nine Springs arise out of a Rock in the compass of 24 foot Eight of which are warm and the Ninth very cold These Springs run from under a fair Square Building of Free Stone and about 300 foot off receive another hot Spring from a Well inclosed with 4 flat Stones near unto which another very cold Spring bubbleth up These Waters are experimentally found good for the Stomach and Sinews and good to Bath in There is a Cave called Eldenhole which is very spacious but hath but a low and narrow entrance but the Waters which trickle from the top thereof do congeal into Stone and hang like Isicles in the root thereof Some are hollow within and grow taperwise they are very white resembling Crystal In the Peak-Forrest is a Well that Ebbs and Flows four times in an hour keeping its just Tides The Arms of Derby is a Hart cumbant upon 2 Hill in a Park Paled all Proper Devonshire THis County is bounded on the East by Somersetshire and Dorsetshire On the West by Cornwall On the South by the Brittish Sea And on the North by the Severn It containeth in length 52 miles In breadth 47 miles and in Circumference 202 miles The Air of this County is sharp and wholsom The Soil is Hilly and Woody The chief Commodities are Tin Lead Kersies Serges Bone-Lace Corn in abundance in the Valleys and Load-stones of good value have been found upon Dartmore Rocks This Shire is in the Diocess of Excester and hath in it 394 Parishes Out of it are elected 26 Members which sit in Parliament Knights 2 Exeter 2 Totnes 2 Plimouth 2 Oakehampton 2 Barnstable 2 Plymton 2 Honiton 2 Tuvistock 2 Ashburton 2 Clifton 2 Dartmouth and 2 Hardress 2 Beralston 2 Tiverton 2 Its Division is into 33 Hundreds viz. Branton H. Sherwell Hartland Shebbe Fremington South Moulton Black Torrington Lifton Tavestoke Roborough Plimpton Armington Witheridge Crediton Woonford Tingbridge Heytor Colridge H. Stanborough Exmister Budley Halberton Tyverton Bampton Hemyocke Axmister Culliton Hayrudge Clifton North Tauton Shebbeate Winckley St. Mary Otery And in these Hundreds are 32 Market-Towns Plymouth Mo. Th. Bediford Tuesday Tiverton Tues Ottery Tues Excester Wen. Fri. Dodbrook W. Newton Abby W. Medbury Thurs Chulmleigh Bower Th Colliton Thurs Hatburly Friday Barnstable Friday Kings Bridge Sat. Plimpton Sat. Totnesse Sat. Ashburnton Sat. Chidley Sat. Morton Sat. Dartmouth Fri. Okehampton Sat. Tavestock Sat. Houlsworth Sat. Torrington mag Sat. South Molton Sat. Columpton S. Crediton S. Honicon S. Axminster S. Plimpton S. Ilforcombe Bradnidge Sidmouth The Principal place in this Shire is the City of Excester lying in the Latitude of 50 deg 43 min. It bears from London W. S. W. and is distant from it 138 miles Thus To Hounslow 10. to Stanes 15. to Hartley-Row 31. to Basing-stoke 39. to Andover 55. to Salisbury 70. to Shaftsbury 85. to Sherburn 97. to Crookham 107. to Axminster 116. to Excester 138. But by more accurate measure upon the Road the distance hath been found to be 172. In this Shire are several good Harbours for Shipping the chief are Tamer and Tore but the Principal of all is Ex upon which this Town is seated and from whence it took its name of Excester This City is Governed by a Mayor 24 Brethren a Recorder a Town-Clerk and other Officers their Attendants Earls of Devonshire and Dukes and Marquesses of Excester since the Norman Conquest Richard Rivers Earl of Devonshire Hugh Courtney Earl of Devonshire Humphrey Stafford Earl of Devonshire Charles Blount Earl of Devonshire Will. Cavendish Earl of Devonshire John Holland Dukes of Excester Thomas Beaufort Dukes of Excester Henry Courtney Marquesse of Excester Thomas Cecil Earl of Excester Things remarkable in this Shire are One Ordulphus this Countrey-man was of a Gyant-like stature and strength for he would break the Iron Bars of Gates and stride 10 foot Upon Exmore are huge Stones confusedly placed like those on Salisbury Plain and one of them hath Danish Letters upon it directing Passengers their way At Hubblestow in this Shire was a Battle fought by the Danes where their Banner called Reafan in which they reposed much confidence of Victory was taken and Hubba their Captain slain When Excester was in the late Wars besieged by the Parliament-Forces an infinite number of Larks came flying into the Town and setled in a void green place within the Walls where they were killed by the besieged in huge quantities and eaten The Arms of Excester are Party per Pale Gules and Sable A Castle Triple towred Or. Dorsetshire THis Shire is bounded on the East by Hantshire On the West by Devonshire and Somersetshire On the South by the Brittish Sea And on the North by Wiltshire It contains in length 54 miles In breadth 30 miles and in Circumference 170 miles The Air of this Shire is healthful and the Sea yieldeth the Shrub called Isidis Plocamos growing without Leaves like Coral it is most plentiful about the Island of Portland The Soil is fat affording many Commodities and pleasant in her situation being watered with many fresh and running Springs The chief Commodities of this Shire are Cattel Sheep Corn Wool Kersies It is in the Dioeess of Bristol and hath in it 248 Parishes Out of this Shire are elected 20 Parliament men Knights 2 Poole 2 Dorchester 2 Lyme Regis 2 Weymouth 2 Welcomb Regis 2 Bridport 2 Shafton 2 Wareham 2 Corf Castle 2 Its Divisions are five viz. Division Sherbourn Bridport
of Bristol built upon the Rivers Avon and Frome Competitor for Merchandize almost with London and with York for beauty It standeth partly in this County and partly in Somersetshire but being a County of it self will acknowledge obedience to neither Things remarkable in this County In the year 1471. At Tewksbury was fought the Battel between K. Edward 4. and K. Hen. 6. wherein P. Edward the General was slain Q. Margaret taken Prisoner Tho. Earl of Devonshire John Mardosset L. Wenlake and Ed. D. of Somerset taken and Beheaded In the Quire of the Cathedral Church of Gloucester in an Arch thereof is a Wall built in form of a Semicircle but very full of Corners and if a man speak with a very low Voyce at the one side or end of it and another lay his Ear to the other he may very easily hear every syllable that the other pronounces though the distance be very considerable At Stroud in this County they Die Scarlet the Water there having a peculiar quality to give the right tincture And about Radminton no Snakes or Adders are to be found yet there are holes there called Swallow-holes where the Waters after great Rain or in VVinter when the Springs run fall into the bowels of the Earth and are no more seen nor is it known whither ever they rise again At Alderley 8 miles from the Severn upon the Hills there to this day are found Cockles Periwinkles and Oysters of solid Stone These Stones are found near the surface of the Earth and if you dig any depth you find none of them At Lassington a mile from Gloucester are found Stones called Star Stones they are about the thickness of a half Crown but no broader than a Silver peny They are flat and five pointed like a Star or Mullet They are of a Grey colour and on the flat sides naturally engraven in fine works as one Mullet within another I have seen many of them joyned together flat to flat like Columbs 2 or 3 inches long These single Stones being put into Vinegar have a motion as other Astroits have though not so lively At Puckle Church are digged Stones natural broad blewish and hard about half a foot thick square and flat fit for Tomb-stones They lye in Beds 6 or 8 one above another The uppermost Bed near the surface of the Earth insomuch that near the Town in the High-way for 10 Perches or more you may ride upon a Pavement as it were of one continued Stone so near do these Beds joyn together Hantshire THis Shire is bounded on the East by Sussex and Surrey On the West by Dorsetshire and Wiltshire On the South by the Brittish Sea And on the North by Berkshire It containeth in Length 66 miles In Breadth 30 miles And in Circumference 176. The Air is Temperate but thick by reason of the Vapours arising from the Sea and Rivers whose plenty of Fish and their increase do plentifully satisfie the injuries they sustain by the Vapours The Soil is rich for Corn and Cattle plentiful for Wood and pleasant for Pasturage and happy in all Commodities either for Sea or Land In it are four Principal Havens viz. Portsmouth Titchfield Homble Southampton all of them commodious both to let in and loose out Ships of very great burthen The chief Commodities of this Shire are Corn Cattle Iron Wool Honey and Kersies It is in the Diocess of Winchester and hath in it 253 Parishes Out of it are elected 26 Members to sit in Parliament Knights 2 Winchester 2 Southampton 2 Portsmouth 2 Yarmouth 2 Petersfeild 2 Newport alias Medena 2 Stockbridge 2 New-town 2 Christ-Church 2 Whitchurch 2 Limington 2 Andever 2 Its Division is into 39 Hundreds viz. Evinger Kingscleer Holshot Odiham Crandall Alton Barmanspit Chutley Basingstoke Overton Parstow Andevor Wherewell Micheldever Buntesborow Sutton Selborn Eastermeane Meanestoke and Suberton Fawley Buddlesgate Kingsunborn Bartonstacy Thornegate New Forrest Fordingbridge Ringwood Christ-Church Redbridge Waltham Mansbridge Tichfield Portsdown Portsmouth Bosmere Hailing Fartham Finchdean And in these Hundreds are 16 Market-Towns viz. Southampton Tu. F Kingsclere Tues Winchester W. and S. Basing-Stoke W. Ringwood W. Alceston Th. Petersfield S. Alton Sat. Odiam S. Andover S. Ramsey S. Lamington S. Portsmouth Th. S. Newport in Isle of Wight W. and Sa. Christ-Church White-Church In the Shire are many Strong Castles as Hurst Calshot Southampton St. Andrews Worth Porchester and the South Castle besides Bulworks and Blockhouses for the Countries defence In this County is the City of Winchester And the Arms of this City are Gules a Castle between two Lyons of England in Fess and between four other Castles in square all Or. The Principal Town in this Shire is Southampton lying in the Latitude of 50 deg 56 min. It bears from London S. W. by W. and is distant therefrom 60 miles thus From London to New Brainford 8. to Stanes 15. to Bagshot 25. to Alton 39. to Alesford 47. to Twiford 54. to Southampton 60. But the distance measured upon the Road is 78 miles This Town of Southampton is Populous Rich and Beautiful most strongly Walled about with Square Stone The Honours of this Shire are dignified by Marquesses and afterwards Earls of Winchester and Southampton The Names of which since the first Constitution are as followeth 1. Cliton a Saxon Earl of Winchester 2. Sear Quincy Earl of Winchester 3. Hugh Spencer Earl of Winchester 4. Lodowick Bruget Earl of Winchester 5. William Pawlet Marquess of Winchester 6. Bogo or Beavous Earl of Southampton 7. William Fits William E. of Southampton 8. Thomas Wriotheosley E. of Southampton Remarkable things in this Shire At Portsmouth they boyl Salt out of Salt water which is our Bay Salt which by boyling again they make exceeding white Out of the Walls of Silcester a decayed Town in this Shire grow huge Oaks containing 10 Loads or 500 solid foot of Timber a piece The Isle of Wight is in this Shire the Air whereof is very wholsom and the Inhabitants live long It yields plenty of Corn and fine Wool As also Conies Hares Pheasants Partridges c. In the year 1176. it rained in this Island a Shower of Blood for two hours together At Wickham in this Shire are Medicinal Waters About Portsmouth are bred a Race of small Dogs like Beagles which they use there to hunt Moles with which they hunt as their natural Game In this County are these Castles Midwood Winchester and Odiam which were so strong that in the time of King Jobn Thirteen Englishmen defended the Fort for fifteen days against Lewis of France who with a great Force assaulted it Hertfordshire THis Shire is bounded on the East by Essex On the West by Buckingham and Bedfordshire On the South by Middlesex And on the North by Cambridgeshire It containeth in length 30 Miles in breadth 28 Miles and in Circumference 130 Miles The Temperature of the Air is sweet and healthful and is seated in a Climate neither too hot
K. Henry the Third and K. Edward the First And with the Interments of Edward the Black Prince Henry the Fourth and Joan his Wife And at Feversham were interred K. Stephen and Maud his Queen After divers afflictions by the Danes this City was at length fortified by Richard the Second and afterwards Walled about by Simon Sadbury Arch-Bishop of that See Next to Canterbury Rochester requires the preheminence of all the other Towns Historians report that this City was first built by Julius Caesar How or by whom these two Cities are Governed I do not find But the Arms of Canterbury is Gules Martlets in a Chief Argent a Lyon Passant Guardant Or. And the Arms of Rochester is Argent a Plain Cross Gules with an R in the Centre Or. In Chief a Lyon of England The Earls since the first Constitution are Odo Bishop of Boyen Will. Iprese E. of Flan. Hubert de Burgh Edmond Woodstock Tho. Holland Edmond Graye Things remarkable in this County are The Medicinal Wells at Tunbridge the Virtues of the Waters of them are sufficiently known At Egerton is a Spring whose Water turns Wood into Stone Three miles South from Tunbridge on the edge of Sussex in a white sandy Ground are divers huge craggy Stones of strange forms whereof two of the greatest stand so close together and yet are divided with so streight a Line as one would think they had been sawn asunder The River of Medway loseth it self under ground and riseth again at Loose not far from Cox-Heath There are three Ridges of Hills in Kent viz. The first is that which runs by Boxtey Dettling Hellingborn c. and is called Health without Wealth The second is that which runs by Sutttonulcomb Booton Malherf c. and is called Health and Wealth The third is that which runs by Tenderden and is called Wealth without Health At Motingham 8 miles from London in Anno 1585. August the 4th after a violent Tempest of Thunder and Rain the Ground suddenly began to sink and three great Elms growing upon it were carried so deep into the Earth that no part of them could any more be seen The compass of the hole is said to be 240 foot about and a Line of 50 Fathom plummed down into it finds no bottom In Tenderden-Steeple about the Belfrey there is a Stone which as the Rain falls upon it out of the Air or the Rain drippings from other Stones about it grows in about 5 or 6 years very manifestly which having been pared away with an Instrument grows up again as high as before Upon the Shoars of the Isle of Sheppey are found weighty Stones out of which Brimstone and Coperas are tryed by boyling them in a Furnace for that purpose Near unto Feversham are Pits of great depth narrow at the mouth and very broad below which have distinction of Rooms or Chambers within them and Pillars of Chalk as it were to support them Great store of Samphire grows on the Cliffs between Deal and Dover At Dengenesse for a mile and more together do naturally grow abundance of hollow Trees among nothing but Beach and Pebbles And Westward from this place Pease grow naturally in Clusters as Grapes do which differ but little in taste from Field Peasen Also between Thâ—net Isle and Sandwich a kind of Hops grow natural y among the Beach and Pebbles In the Isle of Sheppey there are no Moles and if any be carried over thither they suddenly dye The River Stowre that runs through Canterbury breeds the best Trouts in the South-east parts of England At Boxley-Abby about 2 miles from Maidstroe is a Spring the water whereof in 9 days will turn Sticks and small Wood into Stone In the year 1596 upon the 18th of December a mile and half from Westram Southward and not many miles from Motingham Two Closes lying together separated with a Hedg of hollow Ashes then was found a part thereof about 12 Perches long to be sunk six foot and an half deep the next morning 15 foot more the third morning 80 foot more at least and so daily that great Trench of Ground containing in length about 80 Perches and in breadth 28 Perches began with the Trees and Hedges on it to loose it self from the rest of the Ground lying round about it and withal to move and shoot Southward day and night for Eleven days The Ground of two water Pits the one 6 foot deep the other 12 foot deep and about 4 Perches over in breadth having sundry Tuffs of Alders and Ashes growing in the bottom with a great Rock of Stone under them were not only removed out of their places and carried towards the South at least 4 Perches apiece but withal mounted aloft and became hilly with their Sedge Flags and black mud upon the tops of them higher than the face of the Water which they had forsaken by 9 foot and in the place from which they were removed other Ground which lay higher is descended receiving the Water which lyes upon it Moreover in one place of the plain Field there is a great hole made by sinking of the Earth to the depth of 30 foot at the least being in breadth in some places 2 Perches over and in length 5 or 6 Perches Also there is a Hedge 30 Perches long carried Southward with his Trees 7 Perches at the least Divers other Sinkings there be in several other Places viz. One of 60 foot another of 47 and another of 34 foot By means of which confusion it is come to pass that where the highest Hills were there be the deepest Dales and the lowest Dales are become the highest Hills The whole measure of breaking was about 10 Acres In the year 1651. in the Parish of Lenisham 6 miles from London a Medicinal Water was found out and is much frequented Lancashire IS bounded on the East by Yorkshire On the West by the Irish Sea On the South by Cheshire And on the North by Cumberland and Westmorland It contains in length 57 miles In breadth 32 miles And in Circumference 65 miles For the Temperature of the Air it is thin and piercing and not troubled with gross Mysts or Fogs The People are very Comely Strong Healthful long liv'd and not subject to Novel Diseases For the Soil It is not very fruitful yet it breeds a great number of Cattel and those of a very great proportion having goodly Heads and large spread Horns It yieldeth great store of Coles and a competent increase of Flax. The Plain of this County is very good for Wheat and Barley but that which lyes at the bottom of the Hills is best for Oats The chief Commodities that this County affords are Cole Cattel Fowl Fish and Flax. It is in the Diocess of Chester and hath in it 61 Parishes And out of it are elected 14 Members to sit in Parliament Knights 2 Lancaster 2 Preston 2 Newton 2 Wigan 2 Clitherow 2 Liverpoole 2 Its Division is into 6 Hundreds viz. Loynsedale
Amounderne Blackburn Laisand West Darbie Salford And in these Hundreds are 26 Market-Towns viz. Boulton Mon. Blackborn M. Wigan M. and Fr. Poulton Mon. Cartmill Mon. Hornby Mon. Haws-head Mon. Rochdale Tues Charley Tu. Ormek rk Tues Kirkham Tues Prescot Tues Hâ—slington Wed. Coln Wed. Warington W. Preston W. F. S. Bury Thurs Gastinge Th. Vlverston Th. Lancaster Sa. Manchester Sa. Clitheroe Sa. Leverpoole Sa. Dalton Sa. Leigh Great Eccleston The Shire-Town in this County is Lancaster lying in the Latitude of 54 deg 10. min. And it beareth from London N. W. by N. and is distant therefrom 187 miles Thus From London to Barnet 10. to St. Alban 20. to Dunstable 30. to Stony Stratford 44. to Toceter 50. to Daventry 60. to Coventry 74. to Lichfield 94. to Rugeley 99. to Stone 110. to Newcastle 116. to Warrington 136. to Newton 141. to Wiggan 148. to Preston 162. to Garstang 172. to Lancaster 187. But by a more exact admeasurement upon this Road it is found to be distant from London 232 miles This Town is very pleasantly situate but the Inhabitants thereof do not much abound in Wealth It is built on the South-side of the River Lon The principal Glory of this Town consisteth in the Church the Castle and the Bridge and in it are many fair and long Streets To this Town K. Edward the Third granted a Mayor and two Bailiffs which are elected out of 12 Brethren assisted by 24 Burgesses by whom it is yearly Governed with the supply of 2 Chamberlains a Recorder Town-Clerk and 2 Sergeants at Mace The Arms of this Town is Party per Fesse Vert and Gules in Chief a Quadrangle of Castles walled Argent and in Base a Lyon of England The Earls and Dukes of this County are Edmond Croukback Earl John of Gaunt D. The Kings of England of the House of Lancaster were Henry the IV. Henry the V. Henry the VI. Henry the VII Those of the House of York Edward IV. Edward V. Richard III. After many Battels and conflicts at length by the happy Marriage of Henry the 7th K. of England next Heir to the House of Lancaster with Elizabeth Daughter and Heir to Edward the 4th of the House of York the Red and white Roses were United Although Lancaster be the Shire Town yet the Town of Manchester far exceedeth it which is famous not only for the Church Colledge and Market-Place but for the great resort to it for Cloathing It was by Anthony the Emperour called Mancunium and was made the Fort and Station of the Romans Bible Chester also in this County though but a little Town hath been esteemed and called The Richest Town in Christendom Things Remarkable in this County Along the Sea side in many places lye heaps of Sand upon which the People pour Water till it contract a Saltish humour from the Sand and this they boyl with Turff till it become White Salt Not far from Fourness Fells is the greatest standing Water in England of a wonderful depth and stretching it self out for the space of 10 miles together all Paved in the bottom with Stone This Water is called the Miander Meer and there breeds in it a kind of Fish called a Chare which is no where else to be found The Mosses in this Shire are very unwholsom but the upper Coat of this Mossy Earth being pared away it yields a fat Earth for Fuel And in divers places under this mossy Earth good Marl is found to inrich the Land On the Banks of the River Irwell there is found a reddish Stone And about Manchester are Quarries of very good Stone By Chatmosse is a low moisy Ground very large a great part of which saith Cambden the Brooks swelling high carried quite away with them whereby the Rivers were corrupted and a number of fresh Fish perished In this place now lyes a low Vale watered with a small Brook where Trees have been digged up lying along The Wood of these Trees burns very bright so that some think them to be Fir Trees But Cambden questions whether they be not Subterraneous Trees growing under Ground as well as Plants and other Creatures Upon the very top of Pendle Hill grows a peculiar Plant called Clowdesberry as coming out of the Clouds This Hill lately did the Countrey near it much harm by abundance of water gushing out of it And this is remarkable for whensoever the top of it is covered with a Myst it is an infallible sign of Rain Besides this Hill there are not far from it two others viz. Ingleborrow and Penigent which seem to touch the Clouds In the River Lune near Cockerfand Abby is great store of Salmon Leicestershire THis Shire is bounded on the East by Lincolnshire On the West by Warwickshire On the South by Northamptonshire And on the North by Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire It containeth in length 30 miles In breadth 26 miles And in Circumference 100 miles The Air of this Shire is mild and wholsom making the Inhabitants very healthy and long liv'd The Soil is good for the production of Corn Cattle and Coles The principal Commodities are Pease Beans Cattle and Wool It is in the Diocess of Lincoln and hath in it 192 Parishes Out of it are elected 4 Parliament Men. Knights 2 Leicester 2 Its Division is into 6 Hundreds viz. West Goscote Sparkingho Goodlaxton Gartrey East Goscote Framland And in these Hundreds are 12 Market-Towns viz. Hinckley Mon. Mont Sorell Mon. Melton Mowbrey Tu. Harborough Tu. Bâ—sworth Wednes Loughborow Th. Waltham Would Th. Hallaton Th. Lutterworth Th. Billesden Frid. Leicester Sat. Asby de la Zouch Sa. The Principal Town in this Shire is Leicester lying in the Latitude of 52 deg 41 min. It beareth from London N. N. W. and is distant therefrom 78 miles Thus From London to Barnet 10. to St. Albans 20. to Dunstable 30. to Stony-Stratford 44. to Northampton 54. to Haverborough 66. to Leicester 78. But by more accurate admeasurement along the Road 98 miles This Town is said to be built by King Leir who lived 844 years before the Birth of Christ By whom this City is annually Governed I do not find but the Arms of the Town seem to be the same with that of Robert de Bellemont who was first Earl thereof which is Gules a Cinquefoil Ermine pierced of the Field The Earls of Leicester since the first Constitution are Robert de Bellemont Simon de Montefort Ranulph Earl of Chester Simon de Montefort Edmond Crouchback Will. de Bavar E. of Holland John of Gaunt D. of Lancaster Robert Dudley Things remarkable in this County Near Bosworth upon Redemore the last of the 13 Battels between the two Houses of York and Lancaster was fought whose dissention spent England more Blood than did the winning of France In which Battel Richard the Tyrant and Usurper by Henry Earl of Richmond with 4000 men were slain and but 10 only on the Earl's part lost their Lives The Corps of the Dead King
Lunaticks Another Glory of the City of London which must not be omitted is the River of Thames This famous River taketh the Head or Spring out of the flank of a Hill in Cotswol-Downs about a mile from Tetbury from hence by many Meanders and meeting with other Streams she arrives to Oxford then to Abington to Wallingford Reading Marlborough Maidenhead Windsor Eaton Chersey Stains Kingston Richmond Brainford Mortlack Putney Chelsey Lambeth Westminster and so to London and thence to Gravesend and thus she comes sporting along from her first source about nine-score miles before she embosoms her self in the Arms of Neptune to which we may add her convenient distance from the Sea the wholsomness of her Water her multitude of Ships and smaller Vessels her stately Palaces on both sides of her Banks her variety of all sorts of Fish and the infinite number of Families that are maintained by this River Of London Bridge Quite over the River of Thames near unto the Tower there is built a most sumptuous and magnificent Bridg built upon nineteen Arches of Stone containing in length one quarter of a mile upon which there are most sumptuous Houses builded on both sides and a Draw-Bridge in the middle large Vessels when they have struck Sail may pass under the Arches This Bridge hath been several times rebuilt and hath twice in this Age been in part consumed by Fire yet the magnificence thereof exceeds all the Bridges that Story makes mention of Of the Tower The stately and strong Tower of London it 's a strong Fort or Citadel which secures both the City and the River it serves not only to Defend but to Command either upon occasion It is the Treasury for the Jewels and Ornaments of the Crown the great Archieve which conserves all the old Records of the Courts of Justice at Westminster it is the place for the Royal Mint for the Coynage of Gold and Silver it is the chief Magazine and Armory or Arsenal of the whole Land for Martial Engines and Provision In it also is the Brake or Rack And lastly It is a great Ornament both to the River and the City Of Fresh Water Rivers Aqueducts Conduits Fountains c. belonging to the City of London Before the Conquest and long after London was watered with a Water called Wallbrook running through the midst of the City now a Street receiving the same name and by another Bourn or Water running through Langborn VVard watering the East part In the Suburbs VVestward was another great Water called Old Bourn now Holborn In the other part of the Suburbs were three principal VVells viz. Holy Well Clements Well Clarks well and near unto this five smaller VVells In West-Smithfield there was Horse-Pool and by Cripplegate Church Crowders Well but most of these are now stopped up and by the admirable VVork of Sir Hugh Middleton the VVater being brought from Amwel Spring by Ware to London it runs in Pipes through all the Streets of the City and by smaller Pipes into almost every Man's House To which we may add the several VVaterhouses built by the Thames which serve to convey VVater to their adjacent places The Inhabitants of London are sufficiently furnished with Provisions for besides the several Shambles every where dispersed up and down there are these Markets Leaden-hall Market the Stocks Market Hony-lane Market Newgate Market Clare Market Southampton Market St. James Market Westminster Market and Ratcliff Market To conclude London is a City of great fame for its Trade and Commerce with all Nations in the known VVorld and if we consider its Antiquity Riches Jurisdiction Situation its Populousness its good Government the ingenuity of its Inhabitants in Arts Manufactures and Martial Affairs It may deservedly be compared with any City of the highest rank in the whole VVorld By this brief Description of these two Famous Cities of London and Westminster and River of Thames you may conceive of its magnitude in some measure as Hercules may be judged by his Foot But if you would have a farther inspection into them there is lately Engraven a Map in Copper and Printed in a large sheet of Royal Paper in which is accurately described all the Streets Lanes and Common passages in these two Cities viz. From St. James's to Black Wall as they are now made nnd altered since the late Dreadful Fire The Price of which Map is but 12 d. and is to be had at Mr. Robert Mordens at the Sign of the Atlas in Cornhil near the Royal Exchange in London Memorable Casualties and other Remarkable Things and Passages hapning in London In the 20th year of William the Conqueror so great a Fire hapned in London that from the West Gate to the East i. e. from Ludgate to Aldgate it consumed all Churches and Houses together with the Cathedral Church of St. Paul In the 4th year of Will. Rufus on the 18th of October being St. Luke's Day about 600 Houses were thrown down with Tempest and the Roof of Bow Church in Cheapside was raised so that in the fall six of the Beams being 27 foot long a piece were driven so deep into the ground the Street being then not Paved that not above 4 foot remained above ground in sight and yet the whole frame kept together in the same order as they were placed by the Workmen on the Root it self In the year 1186. and in the Reign of Henry the 2d London was Paved In the 10th year of Richard the First was London first Governed by a Mayor and Sherifts In the year 1209. and in the Reign of K. John London Bridge was built with Stone In the 17th year of Henry the 3d. Five Suns appeared at one time together after which followed so great a Dearth that People were constrained to eat Horseflesh and Barks of Trees and in London 20 Thousand were starved for want of Food In the 27th year of Edward the First the Kings Palace at Westminster and the Monastery adjoyning were Burnt In the same 27th year of his Reign an Act was made by the Common-Council of London with the King's consent concerning the price of Victuals viz. A fat Cock three half-pence 2 Pullets the same A Goose 4 d. A Mallard 3 half-pence A Pheasant 4 d. A Heron 6 d. A Plover 1 d. A Swan 3 s. A Crane 1 s. 2 Wood-Cocks 3 halfpence A fat Lamb from Christmas to Shrovetide 16 d. and all the year after for 4 d. And VVheat this year was so plentiful that a Quarter was sold for 10 Groats In the 8th year of Edward the 2d was so great a Dearth that Horses and Dogs were eaten and Thieves in Prison plucked those in pieces that newly came in amongst them eating them half alive this Famine continued 3 years and brought in the end such a Pestilence that the living scarce sufficed to Bury the dead In this Kings Reign digging a Foundation of a Work about St. Pauls in London was found above 100 head of Oxen and
Kine In the year of our Lord 1348. a Plague began in London about Alhallontide and continued till the year 1357. which is 9 years where it was observed That those that were born after the beginning of this Mortality had but 28 Teeth whereas before they had 32. In Anno 1411. Guild-hall in London was built In the 4th year of Edw. the 3d. A Solemn Tournament or Jousting which lasted three days was held in Cheapside London near to Soper-lane where a Scaffold was erected for the Queen Philippa and her Ladies to sit on to see the Jousting which Scaffold fell and though there was no hurt done the King threatned to punish the Carpenters that erected it for their neglect till the Queen upon her knees intreated pardon for them In the 11th year of his Reign was so great a Plenty that in London A Quarter of Wheat was was sold for 2 s. A fat Oxe for a Noble A fat Sheep for 6 d. Five Pigeons for a Peny A fat Goose for two Pence A Pig for a Peny In the 14th year of Richard the 2d on Christmas day a Dolphin was taken up at London Bridge of a monstrous growth and 10 foot long In a Parliament time in this Kings Reign a certain Image was made of Wax by Necromancy which at an hour appointed uttered these words The Head shall be cut off The Head shall be lift up aloft The Feet shall be lift up above the Head This Parliament was called the Marvellous Parliament In the 3d year of Henry the 5th upon Candlemas Day 7 Dolphins came up the River of Thames whereof 4 were taken Upon the 8th of November in the 7th year of K. Henry the 6th the Duke of Norfolk passing through London Bridge His Barge being set upon the Piles overwhelmed so that 37 persons were Drown'd and the Duke with some others that escaped were fain to be drawn up with Ropes In the 18th year of Henry the 6th All the Lions in the Tower died And upon the 18th day of July in the same year the Postern Gate between the two Tower Hills sunk by night above 7 foot into the Ground In the 10th year of King Henry the 7th in the digging a new Foundation in the Church of St. Mary Hill in London the Body of Alice Hackney who had been Buried in that Church 175 years before was found whole of Skin and the Joynts of her Arms pliable her Corps was kept above ground 4 days without annoyance and then Buried again In the 15th year of his Reign was a great Plague of which there died in London in that year 30 Thousand persons In the 9th year of K. Henry the 8th there hapned a Sweating Sickness whereof a number of People died especially in London so thar in 3 and sometimes in 2 hours it took away mens lives It began in July and continued till the middle of December In the 20th year of his Reign in the end of May began another Sweating Sickness in London which infected all places of the Realm In the 27th year of Henry the 8th upon Tuesday in Easter VVeek William Foxley Pot-maker for the Mynt of the Tower of London fell asleep and could not be waked with pinching or burning till 14 days after and when he awaked was found in all points as if he had slept but one night and he lived 40 years after In the second year of Edward the 6th St. Anns Church by Aldersgate in London was consumed by Fire In his 5th year was a Sweating Sickness again more violent than those foregoing for in the first VVeek it began in London there died there 800 persons and it was so violent that it took men away in 24 hours sometimes in 12 and some in less In this Sickness besides divers Persons of Quality and account there died two Sons of Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk both dying within an hour one of another and in such order that both of them died Dukes In the 2d year of Q. Mary on the 15th of February in the Sky appeared a Rainbow reversed i. e. the Bow downwards and the ends upwards Also 2 Suns shined at one time being a good distance asunder In the 4th year of her Reign Burning Agues and other-strange Diseases took away very many people so that in London between the 20th of October and the last of December there died seven Aldermen In her 5th year upon the last of September there fell such great store of Rain that Westminster Hall was full of VVater and Boats were rowed over Westminster Bridge into King-street In the 3d year of Q. Elizabeth the Spire of St. Paul's Cathedral in London being 260 foot high above the Stone-work being made of VVood and covered with Lead was with Lightning burnt down together with the Roof of the Church and Steeple and all in less than 5 hours time Also in this year of her Reign were produced many monstrous Births viz. a Mare brought forth a Foal with two Heads and a long Tail growing out between the two Heads A Sow farrowed a Pig with 2 Bodies 8 Feet and but one Head In her 6th year a great Pestilence raged in London whereof there died there in one year 21 Thousand and 5 Hundred persons In her 8th year there died in London in 10 Months space 7 Aldermen In her 15th year appeared the new Star or Comet in Cathedra Cassiopoea In her 17th year the River Thames Ebb'd and Flowed twice in one hour And upon the 9th of September the Heavens seemed to be all on fire In her 26th year was a great Plague in London of which there died besides the Lord Maior and three Aldermen 17 Thousand 8 hundred and 90. and Michaelmas Term was held at St. Albans In the first year of K. James the Plague was so violent in London that from the 23th of December to the 12th of December following there died in London and the Liberties 38 thousand 244 persons whereof of the Plague 30 thousand 568 of which in one Week 3 thousand and 90. In his 3d year a great Porpus was taken at West Ham a mile and half within the Land and a few days after a Whale was divers times seen above the Water in the River of Thames which was judged to exceed the biggest Ship upon the River but tasting the fresh Water retired into the Sea In his 6th year 1609. A Frost began in December and lasted till April following In the 12th year of his Reign the New-River Water was brought to London In the year 1623. on Friday Octob. 24. A Romish Priest Preached in the Afternoon at Hunsdon House in the Black Fryers London in an upper Chamber where 300 persons were assembled to hear him when about the middle of the Sermon a great part of the Floor brake and fell down in the fall whereof the Priest was slain and near 100 of his Auditors and as many more maimed In the 7th year of King Charles the First upon the 29th of May a
of the Air especially about the Town of Warwick The Soil is very Rich especially the Vale of Red Horse which hath a Red Earth and yieldeth great Plenty of Corn. The chief Commodities of this County are Wood Wool Iron and Malt. It is in the Diocesies of Lichfield and Worcester and in it are 158 Parishes Out of it are elected 6 Members to sit in Parliament Knights 2 Coventry 2 Warwick 2 Tamworth 2 Its Division is into 5 Hundreds viz. Hemlinglord Coventry Knightlow Barlichway Kington And in these Hundreds are 15 Market-Towns viz. Henley Monday Southam Mon. Sutton Cofield Mon. Aulcester Tues Symeton Tues Atherston Tues Colshill W. Stratford Thur. Bromicham Th. Coventry Frid. Warwick Sat. Shipton Sat. Rugby Sat. Nun Eaton Sat. Tamworth Sat. The Principal Town in this Shire is Warwick which lies in the Latitude of 52 deg 20 min. It bears from London N. W. And is distant therefrom 70 miles Thus From London to Coventry But by more accurate admeasurement upon the Road it is found to be distant from London 88 miles This Town of Warwick lyeth upon the Northwest side of Avon built by Gurgunstus 375 years before the Birth of Christ The Situation of this place is most pleasant upon a Hill rising from the River over which is a fair and strong Stone Bridge This Town is yearly Governed by a Bailiff 12 Brethren 24 Burgesses for Common Council a Recorder a Town-Clerk and one Sergeant their Attendant The Seal of this Town is a Castle triple-Towred having on the dexter side the Sun in its Glory and on the sinister side a Crescent or half Moon on the tops of the two fronting Towers of the Castle stand two Watchmen armed and their Arms extended with this Inscription upon the Ring of the Seal SIGILLUM BALLIVI BURGENSIUM WARWICI Although this be the Shire Town yet the City of Coventry must not be forgotten being a City for stately building inferiour to few and for a Wall about it transcending any other which Wall for the ill use they put it to in the Rebellion in the time of our late Soveraign Charles the First of blessed Memory was to the shame of their Citizens most justly rased to the ground the ruines thereof only remaining to put them in mind for the future of their Allegiance to their Soveraign These Citizens might have remembred that formerly for their offences offered to their Lord Leofrike they had their Priviledges infringed and themselves oppressed with many heavy Tributes until Godiva his Lady pitying their condition by uncessant importunities sued for their Peace of the Lord her Husband which at length he granted upon this Condition viz. That she should Ride naked through the face of the City and that openly at high noon day which she accordingly did And stripping her self of all her Garments looses the tresses of her hair which on every side so covered her nakedness that no part of her Body was uncivil to sight by which means she redeemed their former Priviledges I do not say but some Magistrates of this City have shewed greater respect to their Soveraigns for as I have heard that a Maior of Coventry riding before Queen Elizabeth she being in Progress to usher her into the City the weather being hot his Horse attempted to drink at the Foard but the Maior checking him several times the Queen called to him saying Mr. Maior Mr. Maior Let your Horse Drink But he modestly replied May it please your Majesties Horse to Drink first The City of Coventry is Governed yearly by a Maior and 2 Bailiffs And the Arms of the City is Party per Pale Gules and Vert upon a Hill Proper An Elephant Passant Argent with a Castle on his back Or. The Earls of Warwick since the first Constitution Henry of Nuburgh Earl of Warwick John Marshall Earl of Warwick John de Plesseis Earl of Warwick William Malduit Earl of Warwick Will. Beauchamp Earl of Warwick John Holland Earl of Warwick Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick George D. of Clarend Earl of Warwick John Dudly Earl of Warwick Robert Rich Earl of Warwick Things Remarkable in this Shire In the year 1469. At Wolney in this County K. Edward the 4th gathering his Forces together to recover his former Loss was suddenly surprized and taken Prisoner by his Brother George D. of Clarence and Richard the Stout E. of Warwick and thence conveyed to Middleham Castle in Yorkshire whence he suddenly escaped and came to London At Gofford Gate in the East part of Coventry hangs the Shield bone of a Wild Boar far bigger than the greatest Oxe bone it is very likely to be an Elephants with whose Snout as the tale goes the great Pit called Swainswell was turned up At Shugbury are found such Stones as are made mention of in Gloucestershire called Astroites or Star-Stones At Lemington a great distance from the Sea a Salt Spring ariseth At Menham-Regis are three Fountains which it should seem are streamed through a Vein of Allum The Water looks and tastes like Milk It procures Urine abundantly It is very Soveraign against the Stone And good to cure Green Wounds Ulcers and Impostumes Being drank with Salt it loosens the Body but with Sugar it maketh it Costive It turneth Wood into Stone saith Speed and saith my Author I my self saw some sticks that were fallen into it some part of them Ash and the other part Stone Westmoreland THis County is bounded on the East by Yorkshire and the Bishoprick of Durham On the West by Cumberland On the South by Lancashire And on the North by Cumberland It containeth in length 38 miles In breadth 33 miles And in Circumference 112 miles The Air of this County is sharp and piercing and not subject to gross Foggs and Vapours whereby the people are free from strange and infectious Diseases and are very healthful and live generally to great Ages The Soil is Moorish and Barren for the most part but the Southern part is the most fruitful The Principal Commodity this County affordeth is Cloath It is in the Diocesses of Chester and Carlisle and in it are 26 Parishes Out of it are elected 4 Members to sit in Parliament Knights 2 Appleby 2 Its Division is into 4 Wards and in them 8 Market-Towns viz. Burton Tues Ambleside Wed. Burgh Wed. Orton Wed. Kerby Laundale Th. Kerby Stephens Fri. Kendall Sat. Appleby Sat. Fardondike The principal Town in this County is Kendall lying in the Latitude of 54 deg 24 min. It bears from London N. W. by N. And is distant therefrom 201 miles Thus From London to Barnet 10 miles to St. Albans 20. to Dunstable 30. to Stony Stratford 44. to Daventry 60. to Coventry 74. to Coleshill 82. to Lichfield 94. Rugeley 99. to Stone 111. to New-Castle 116. to Warrington 136. to Wiggan 148. to Preston 162. to Garstang 172. to Lancaster 182. to Kendall 201. But by exact admeasurement upon the Road the distance is found to be 246 Miles This Town standeth
on the Bank of the River Can and is of great Trade and resort and the Inhabitants are very industrious for making of Cloath and have great Vent and Traffick for the same for their Woollen Cloaths are vended through all parts of England The Town is annually managed by an Alderman chosen out of his 12 Brethren who are all distinguished from the rest by wearing of Purple Gowns The Alderman and his Senior Brother are always Justices of the Peace and Quorum They have also a Town-Clerk a Recorder 2 Sergeants at Mace and 2 Chamberlains The Arms of the Town is Quarterly two Coots the first Argent 3 Tees Sable The second Gules 3 Spears in Pale Argent The third like the second the fourth as the first The Earls of this County since the Norman Conquest John Duke of Bedford Earl of Somerset John Duke of Somerset Earl of Somerset John De Foix Earl of Somerset Ralph Nevill Earl of Somerset Francis Farrar Earl of Somerset Things remarkable in this County Near unto the River Loder is a Spring that Ebbs and Flows many times in a day In the same place are Stones like Pyramids some of them being 9 foot high and 14 foot thick pitched directly in a Row for a mile together In the River Can near unto Kendall are two Cataracts or Water-falls where the Waters descend with a great fall and mighty noise And when that which standeth North from the Neighbours living between them sounds cleerer and lowder than the other they certainly look for fair weather to follow But when that on the South side doth so they expect Foggs and Showers of Rain Near Kirkby Lonsdale are many deep and hollow places like Caves In ancient times the Pearl bearing Muscles were found upon this Shoar which conceive by the Dew they suck in And they are to be found at this day both here and in the Rivers of Cumberland Wiltshire THis County is bounded on the East by Berkshire and Hantshire On the West by Somersetshire On the South by Dorsetshire And on the North by Gloucestershire It containeth in length 52 miles In breadth 38 miles And in Circumference 142 miles This County is seated in a good Climate the Air is both sweet pleasant temperate and wholsom The Soil is fruitful and plentiful the Northern part rises up in delectable Hills furnished with large VVoods and the Valleys with pleasant Rivers namely Isis c. The South part is more level yielding Grass and Corn in abundance The middest of the County is most plain and therefore is called Salisbury Plain The chief Commodities of this Shire are Wool Wood and Sheep It is in the Diocess of Salisbury and hath in it 304 Parishes Out of it are chosen 34 Members which sit in Parliament Knights 2 New Sarum 2 Wilton 2 Downton 2 Hindon 2 Hytesbury 2 Westbury 2 Calne 2 Devizes 2 Chipenham 2 Malmesbury 2 Cricklade 2 Great Bedwyn 2 Ludgersal 2 Old Sarum 2 Wooton Basset 2 Marleborough 2 Its Division is into 29 Hundreds viz. Highworth Malmsbury Kingsbridge Damerham Nor. Chippenham Pottern Calne Selkley Ramsbury Kinwarston Elstube Swanborne Melkesham Bradford Whorwelsdown Westbury Warmister Haresbury Branche Amsbury Vnderditch Alderbury Frustfield Downton Cawden Danworth Dametham Mere Chalke And in these Hundreds are 23 Market-Towns viz. Bradford Monday Sundon Mon. Swindon Mon. Calne Tues Ashburn Tues Wilton Wednes Lavington Wed. Highworth Wed. Hindon Thurs Devizes Thurs Wootton Basset Th. Dunston Friday Anersbury Friday Westbury Friday Mere Marmister Werminster Sat. Tronbridge S. Chipnam S. Marleborough S. Malmesbury S. Creeklad S. Salisbury Tuesday and Saturday The principal Town in this County is the City of Salisbury lying in the Latitude of 51 deg 4 min. It bears from London W. S. W. And is distant therefrom 70 miles Thus From London to New Brainford 8 miles to Stanes 15. to Hartleyrow 31. to Basingstoke 39. to Whitchurch 49. to Andover 55. to Salisbury 70. But by a more accurate admeasurement on the Road it is found to be distant from London 83 miles This City for fair Buildings is inferiour to none and transcends all others for the benefit of Water almost every Street having a River running through the midst thereof The Arms of this City is Azure a Sword and a Key in Saltyre Or On a chief Argent 3 Lozenges Gules The Earls of Wiltshire and Salisbury since the first Constitution William Scroop Earl of Wiltshire Salisbury Samuel Butler Earl of Wiltshire Salisbury John Stafford Earl of Wiltshire Salisbury Henry Stafford Earl of Wiltshire Salisbury Thomas Bullen Earl of Wiltshire Salisbury William Panlet Earl of Wiltshire Salisbury Patrick Fitzwater Earl of Wiltshire Salisbury William Longspey Earl of Wiltshire Salisbury Henry Lacye Earl of Wiltshire Salisbury Tho. E. of Lancaster Earl of Wiltshire Salisbury William Montagule Earl of Wiltshire Salisbury Richard Nevill Earl of Wiltshire Salisbury George D. of Clarence Earl of Wiltshire Salisbury Robert Cecil Earl of Wiltshire Salisbury Things Remarkable in this County The Cathedral Church of Salisbury was begun to be built by Richard Poore Bishop of this See and in 40 years was brought to its perfect Splendor and Beauty It is a most Rich and Magnificent Church and in it are as many VVindows as there are days in the year viz. 365. As many Pillars of Cast Marble as there are hours in the year viz. 8760. As many Gates for Entrance as there are Months in the year viz. 12. In the edge of this Shire between Luckington and great Badminton is a place called the Caves They are upon the top of a rising Hill and about 9 in number Some of them are deeper and some shallower some broader and longer than others and they lie all together in a Row The manner of them is 2 long Stones set upon the sides and broad Stones upon the top to cover them The least of these Caves is 4 foot broad and some of them 9 or 10 foot long These are called by some of the ignorant Inhabitants The Gyants Caves But the more ingenious think them to be the Tombs of some Saxons Heroick Danes or Romans and the more probable for that in a late digging into them they have found Spurs old pieces of Armour c. In this Shire is a small Rill called Devorill which runneth a mile under ground In Ivy Church was found a Corps 12 foot long and a Book of very thick Parchment all written with great Roman Letters but when the Leaves were touched they mouldered to Dust Near the River Kennet in this Shire there breaks out Water in the manner of a suddain Landflood out of certain Stones standing aloft in open Fields which by the common people is accounted a fore-runner of dearth The Stonehenge upon Salisbury Plain is counted the most admirable Rarity this Island affordeth It is in this manner There are in a Pit great Stones standing upright some being 28 foot high and 7 foot broad in 3
ranks round like a Crown and overthwart them are laid others with Mortises and Tenants Now the great question among the Learned is how these Stones came hither for say they it is not likely that they were ab initio placed here by the God of Nature because the whole Countrey round for some miles hardly affords a Stone either great or small and they seem too vast to be brought hither either by Wagon Cart or other Artifice The Learned Mr. Cambden therefore thinks that they were made there by Art of pure Sand and some unctuous Cement even as those also in Yorkshire because anciently there was such an Art of making Stone And Pliny saith that the dust of Puteoli Puzzole being laid in Water becometh Stone presently and that there were Cisterns at Rome made of digged Sand and Lime which were so firm and hard that they seemed Stone But notwithstanding the Authority of this great Scholar saith my Author I am clearly of opinion that they are natural Stones and placed there ab initio than which I think nothing is plainer For saith he upon the Downs between Marlbury and Anbury not above 20 miles from Stonehinge which Downs are but a Continuation or part of Salisbury Plain differing nothing from it but in the un-evenness are some abundance of great Stones called by the Country thereabouts the Gray Weathers and at Anbury in an Orchard there are half a dozen or half a score Stones little inferiour to the Stonehinge for bigness and some of them standing upright and others lying flat on the ground And the Country here like that about Stonehinge affords not a Stone besides So that saith my Author unless we will have all these Stones to be Artificial we must grant the Stonehinge to be natural Now whereas this unstoniness of the Country about which we speak of seems to some a strong Objection against the naturalness of the Stones but it is on the contrary if duly considered a great Argument for it For saith he What can be more probable than that Nature could not provide her self otherwise of Lapidifick matter enough to make those huge Stones of but by robbing of the circumjacent places The More of that matter Here The Less hereabouts because nature wanting Timber would fetch it nearest hand To say no more of Stonehinge but that near it mens bones are digged up many times which may very well be because it was the Burial place of old for the Kings of the Brittains In the Parish of Luckington is a Well called Handcock's Well the Water whereof is said to be very cold in Summer and warm in Winter and is commended as a singular Water for the Eyes About Sayworth are found abundance of Stones somewhat like Cockles yet so apparently differing from their shape that by the very sight of them one may plainly see that they never were true Cockles as some there do believe Worcester-Shire IT is bounded by Warwickshire on the East By Herefordshire and Shropshire on the West By Gloucestershire on the South And by Staffordshire on the North. It containeth in length 38 miles In breadth 31 miles And in Circumference 137 miles The Air of this Shire is of a favourable temperature it gets an appetite for Labour Diet and Rest The Soil is fertile and inferiour to none in the Lande for besides abundance of Corn in every place the Hills are stored with plenty of Woods and Pasturage and the Hedge-Rows in the High-ways are filled with Fruit-Trees The chief Commodities are Corn Salt Sider and Perry It is in the Diocess of Worcester and hath in it 152 Parishes Out of it are elected 9 Parliament Men. Knights 2 Worcester 2 Droitwich 2 Evesham 2 Bewdley 1 Its Division is into 7 Hundreds viz. Halfeshire Doddington Worcester Parshor Blakenhurst Oswalderstow Vpton And in these Hundreds are 11 Market-Towns viz. Evesholme Mond Parshore Tues Bromesgrove Tues Tenbury Tues Vpton Thurs Kedderminster Th. Shipton Friday Droitwich Fr. Sturbridge Fr. Bewdley Sat. Worcester Wednes Frid. and Sat. The principal place in this Shire is the City of Worcester It lies in the Latitude of 52 deg 14 min. It bears from London W. N. W. And is distant therefrom 92 miles Thus From London to Uxbridge 15 miles to High Wickham 27. to Oxford 47. to Glimpton 60. to Marton on the Marsh 74. to Pershore 86. to Worcester 92. But measured upon the Road it is found to be 112 miles distant from London This City is most pleasantly seated very much frequented and very richly inhabited It is seated upon the East Bank of the Severn and that which the Severn doth not defend is Walled about through which Wall are 7 Gates for Entrance and 5 Watch-Towers for Defence This City is Governed by 2 Bailiffs 2 Aldermen 2 Chamberlains and 2 Constables annually elected out of 24 Burgesses cloathed in Scarlet assisted with 48 other Citizens whom they call their Common Council clad in Purple a Recorder Town-Clerk and 5 Sergeants with Maces their Attendants The Arms of this City is Argent a Fesse between 3 Pears Sable The Earls of Worcester since the Norman Conquest Waleram E. of Mellent Earl of Worcester Thomas Piercy Earl of Worcester Richard Beauchamp Earl of Worcester John Tiptost Earl of Worcester Edward Somerset Earl of Worcester Things Remarkable in this County In the year 1265. upon the 5th of August at Eversham in this County a great Battel was fought betwixt K. Henry the 3d. and his Barons through whose Dissentions most of them were slain as Simon Montfort E. of Leicester and 17 Lords and Knights besides and Humphrey Bohun taken Prisoner In many parts of this County are Salt Pits and Salt Springs The Hedge-Rows and High-ways are beset with Pear-Trees of which they make Perry The Severn here affords great store of fresh-water Lampreys At Droitwich are 3 Fountains of Salt Water divided by a little Brook of Fresh Water passing by them by the boiling of which Salt water they make the purest white Salt in England There is lately found out about Eckington Bride 7 miles from Worcester a Medicinal Water Yorkshire YOrkshire the greatest County in England is bounded on the East by the German Ocean On the West by Lancashire and Westmoreland On the South by the River Humber And on the North by Durham It containeth in length 85 miles In breadth 75 miles And in Circumference 318 miles As this County is large and spacious so the Air is of several Temperatures in several parts thereof It is placed in such a Temperature of Climate that in all parts of it she is indifferently fruitful yet hath she her barren places too But saith Speed If one part of her be a Stony and Barren ground another is fertile and richly adorned with Corn Fields If she be here naked and destitute of Wood in another place she is shadowed with Forrests full of Trees If one place be Moorish Mirey or unpleasant another yeilds as much delight and content to the Eye
the North by Merioneth and Montgomery It containeth in length 44 miles In breadth 22 miles And in Circumference 103 miles The Air is open and somewhat piercing The Soil is hilly and uneven but more plain and Champion towards the Sea and the Valleys being fed with Springs and Rivulets are very fruitful yielding abundance of good Pasture and good Corn but little VVood. The chief Commodities are Corn Cattel Sea-Fowl Fish and Lead It is in the Diocess of St. Davids and hath in it 64 Parishes Out of it are elected 2 Members to sit in Parliament Knight 1 Cardigan 1 Its Division is into Five Hundreds viz. Llanbadarn Llanylar Pennarth Moythen Tredroir And in these Hundreds are 4 Market-Towns viz. Aberysthway Mond Llanbeder Tuesday Tregeron Thurs Cardigan Sat. The principal Town is Cardigan lying in the Latitude of 52 deg 18 min. It bears from London VV. by N. And is distant therefrom 147 miles Thus From London to Gloucester as in Gloucestershire 81 miles to Kenfrich 103. to Longamore 135. to Pencarst 160. to Cardigan 147. But by more exact admeasurement the distance is sound to be 219 miles from London This Town is seated upon a steep Bank her South side guarded by the deep River Tyvy and passable no way but by a Bridge under the Castle it is VValled about and hath three ways for Entrance Things Remarkable in this County At the Head of the River Istwyd are some veins of Lead found In the River Tivy the Beasts called Bever or Castor have been formerly found It is an amphibious Creature living partly in the VVater and partly on the Land His fore-feet are like unto a Dogs feet but the hinder feet are whole skinned like those of a Goose his Dogs feet serve him ashoar to Run and his Geese feet in the VVater to Swim His Tail is broad and Grisly which he useth as a Stern to direct his Course by his Skin is ash-colour inclining to black and it is a very subtile Creature Chronicles report that while David Menevensiâ— Bishop of St. Davids confuted the Pelagian Heresie at Llan-devi-brevi the Earth whereon he stood and Preached rose up by Miracle to a certain height under his feet Caernarvan-Shire THis Shire is bounded on the East by Denbyshire On the West and North by the Irish Sea And on the South by Merioneth It containeth in length 53 miles In breadth 20 miles And in Circumference 115 miles Tht Air of this Shire is sharp and piercing The Soil of this County cannot be commended for its fertility only those parts near the Sea Coasts the Inland part being very craggy and hilly The chief Commodities of this Shire are Cattel Sheep Fowl and Fish It is in Bangor Diocess and hath in it 68 Parish-Churches Out of it are elected 2 Parliament Men. Knight 1 Carnarvan 1 It is not divided into Hundreds as the other Shires but in it are 6 Market-Towns viz. Bangar Wedn. Krekych Wed. Palbely Wedn. Alberconway Friday Caernarvan Saturd Newin Saturd The principal Town is Caernarvan lying in the Latitude of 51 deg 22 min. It bears from London N. W. by W. And is distant therefrom 181 miles Thus From London to Buckingham as in Buckinghamshire 44 miles to Bilford 71. to Kaderminster 95. to Rowta 128. to Rutdock 153. to Dolathhan 163. to Caernarvan 181. But by more accurate admeasurement it is found to be distant from London 237 miles The People of this Town are well approved of for courtesie and civility The Town is Governed by a Constable of the Castle who is ever Maior by Patent having the assistance of one Alderman 2 Bailiffs 2 Sergeants at Mace and a Town-Clerk Things Remarkable in this Shire Here are extraordinary high Hills the highest in all Wales on some of which the Snow lies long and upon others it lies all the year long hard crusted together In some places of this Shire are bred certain Shel-fish which being produced by a Heavenly dew bring forth Pearls In the Pool called Lin-Paris there is a Fish called Torroch having a red Belly which is no where else to be seen but here On the high Hills of this Shire are 2 Meers one of which produces Fish that have but one Eye and in the other is a floating Island which as soon as a Man treads on it presently floats a great way of Snowdon Hills saith Cambden although they have Snow always lying on them yet are exceeding rank with Grass insomuch that they are become a Proverb among the Welsh and it is certain that there are Pools and standing Waters upon the very tops of those Mountains and they are so coated with that Snowy Crust that lies on them that if a man do but lightly set his foot any where on the top of these Mountains he shall perceive the Earth to stir the length of a stones cast from him And this I suppose might occasion the fable or vogue of the Floating Island before-mentioned Caermarden-Shire THis Shire is bounded on the East by Brecnock-shire and Clamorganshire On the West by Pembrokeshire On the South by the Brittish Sea And on the North by Cardiganshire It containeth in length 40 miles In breadth 26 miles And in Circumference 106 miles This Shire hath as most hilly Countries have a wholsom Air. The Soil cannot be said to be very fertile only in some places it yields Pit-Coals The chief Commodities are Cattel Salmon and Pit-Coals It is in the Diocess of St. Davids and hath in it 87 Parishes Out of it are elected 2 Parliament Men. Knight 1 Caernarden 1 Its Division is into 6 Hundreds viz. Cathinok Cayo Pervethe Ellnet Derllys Kidwellye And in these Hundreds are 8 Market-Towns viz. Kidwelyn Tues Llanelly Tuesd Llandilonawre Tues Caermarden Wed. and Sat. Llanymodossy Wed. and Sat. Llangadoke Thurs New Castle Friday Lancharne Friday The Shire-Town is Caermarden lying in the Latitude of 52 deg 2 min. It bears from London W. by N. And is distant therefrom 157 miles Thus From London to Gloucester as in Gloucestershire 81 miles to Michael-Dean 88. to Monmouth 99. to Abergaveny 111. to Brecknock 123. to Llanimdiffry 137. to Caermarden 157. But by more accurate admeasurement upon the Road it is found to be 206 miles distant from London The Town is pleasantly seated upon the South west side of the River Tovy which runneth through the middest of the Shire The Inhabitants of this Town are not a little Proud that Merlin was therein born the Son of a bad Angel or of an Incubus Spirit It is yearly Governed by a Maior who ever after is an Alderman and Justice of the Peace 2 Sheriffs elected out of 16 Burgesses all of them in Scarlet a Sword-bearer a Town-Clerk and 2 Sergeants with Maces Things Remarkable in this Shire In Carreg Castle saith Giraldus is a Well that like the Sea Ebbs and Flows twice in 24 hours Denbyshire IT is bounded on the East by Shropshire and Cheshire On the West by Caernarvan and Merioneth On the South by
Montgomery And on the North by the Irish Sea and Flintshire It containeth in length 40 miles In breadth 21 miles And in Circumference 118 miles The Air of this Shire is cold but very wholsom and the Snow lies long on the Hills the high Hills resemble the Battlements of a Wall they stand so thick upon the tops of which Hills when vapours rise in the Morning in the Summer-time it foreshews a fair day to follow The Soil is but barren especially towards the West part but in the middle where it lies flat in a Valley it is most fertile and by the industry of the Husbandmen they begin by paring off the upper Coat and burning it upon the place and disposing of the ashes there to make the Hills moderately bearable of a kind of Rye or Amell-Corn as they call it The chief Commodities of this County are Goats Sheep and Lead It is in the Diocess of St. Asaph and hath in it 57 Parishes Out of it are elected 2 Parliament Men. Knight 1 Denbigh 1 Its Division is into 12 Hundreds And in these Hundreds are 4. Market-Towns viz. Ruthen Monday Llanrost Tuesday Denbigh Wedn. Wrexham M. Th. The Principal place in this Shire is Denbigh which lies in the Latitude of 53 deg 19 min. It bears from London N. W. And is distant therefrom 160 miles Thus From London to St. Albans 20. to Stony-Stratford 44. to Daventry 60. to Coventry 74. to Coleshill 82. to Lichfield 94. to Great Heyward 102. to Stableford Bridge 115. to Nantwich 121. to Chester 135. to Denbigh 155. But by more accurate admeasurement it is found to be distant from London 209 miles The Fame of this Town spreads it self far for repute as being reckoned the most beautiful place in all North Wales and of no less report for that the Castle adjoyning to it is impregnable The Government of this Town is managed by 2 Aldermen and 2 Bailiffs who are yearly elected out of 25 Burgesses their Assistants it hath one Recorder one Town-Clerk and 2 Sergeants at Mace The Lords and Earls of Denby are Robert Dudley Lord Denby and Earl of Leicester William Fielding Earl of Denby Things Remarkable in this County Moilenlly the highest Hill in this Shire hath a Spring of cleer Water on the top of it Cambden saith that the People which live in the Vale of this Shire are very healthful their heads sound and firm their eyesight never dim and their age very lasting and chearful The River Alen runs under ground in two places in this County Near unto Moinglath is plenty of Lead In the year 1574. on the 26th of February were great Earthquakes which did many People much hurt both within doors and without both in York Worcester Hereford Gloucester Bristol and other places adjoyning And this is remarkable That this shaking of the Earth made the Bell in the Shire-Hall of Denbigh to Toll twice but did no other harm at all thereabouts Flintshire THis Shire is bounded on the East by Cheshire On the West by Denbyshire On the South by Shropshire And on the North by the Irish Sea It containeth in length 33 miles In breadth â— miles And in Circumference 83 miles The Temperature of the Air is very healthfulâ— without fogs or fenny Vapours saving that sometimes there rise from the Sea and the River Dee certain thick and smoaky Mists which offend not much for the Inhabitants live long and are very healthful The Air is colder here than in Cheshire by reason it is incompassed by the Sea and the River Dee whence it is that the Snow lies very long on the tops of the Hills The Soil bringeth forth plenty both of Corn and Grass and produceth great store of Cattel though they be but small but their number maketh amends for their parvity The chief Commodities are Corn Cattel Cheese Butter Honey Pit-Coal some Lead and Mill-stones It is in the Diocess of St. Asaph and hath in it 28 Parishes Out of it are elected 2 Parliament Men. Knight 1 Flint 1 Its Division is into 5 Hundreds And in these Hundreds are but 2 Market-Towns viz. Cajervise Tuesday St. Asaphs Saturday The Principal Town is Flint lying in the Latitude of 53 deg 21 min. It bears from London N. W. And is distant therefrom 150 miles Thus From London to Chester as in Cheshire Road 144 miles to 150. But by more accurate admeasurement upon the Road it is found to be distant from London 193 miles This Town was founded by K. Henry the 2d and finished by K. Edward the first Things remarkable in this Shire Towards Dee an Arm of the Sea the Fields bear in some places Barley in others Wheat but generally throughout Rye with better than a twenty fold increase especially the first year they be broken up and sowen and afterwards 4 or 5 crops together of Oats At the mouth of the River Clind the Valley on the Land seemeth to be lower and to lie under the Sea and yet the Water to the admiration of all beholders never overfloweth into the Valleys Near unto Holy Well was formerly found a very rich Mine of Silver of which Money small pieces was coyned and had stamped upon it the Plume of Feathers being the Arms of the Princes of Wales Hard by Kilken is a little Well which at certain times Ebbs and Flows In this Shire is that excellent Well called St. Winifrids Well or Holy Well so famous for the strange Cures of Aches and Lamenesses as is wonderful and much to be admired The Water of it is extream cold and the Brook which flows from it hath so plentiful and violent a Stream that it is presently able to drive a Mill. The Stones about it are as it were spotted with bloody Spots and there are many red Stones in the bottom of it The Moss which grows on the sides of it is of an excellent sweet smell and they say that though some of it be given away to all Strangers that come yet it never wasteth Antiquity saith Speed reports concerning this Well thus That Winifrid a chaste Christian Virgin very fair and virtuous was doated upon by a young Lustful Prince or Lord of the Country who not long able to rule his head-strong affections having many times in vain attempted her Chastity both by rich Gifts and large Promises could not by any means obtain his desires he therefore in a place of advantage suddenly surprized and ravished her weak yet resisting Body After the Deed done the cruel Tyrant to stop her cries and acclamations slew her and cut off her head out of which place did suddainly arise a Spring which continueth to this day carrying from the Fountain such a forcible Stream and Current as the like is not found in Christendom Glamorgan-Shire THis Shire is bounded by Monmouthshire on the East By Caermardenshire on the West By the River Severn on the South And by Brecknockshire on the North. It containeth in length 48 miles In breadth 27 miles
my Author that the Sea hath overflowed much Land on this Coast About Kilgarran are abundance of Salmons taken And there also is a place called Salmons-Leap for this Reason The Salmon coveteth to get into fresh-water Rivers to Spawn and when they come to places where the water falls down suddenly from some higher place as many such there be they use this piece of natural Policy They bend themselves backward and take their Tails in their Mouths and with all their force unloosing their Circle on a suddain he mounteth up before the fall of the Stream And therefore these downright Falls or rather Cataracts of water are called Salmon-Leaps In the Island of Scalmey on the West side of this Shire there grows abundance of wild Thyme Radnorshire THis Shire is bounded on the East by Herefordshire On the West and South by Brecknockshire And on the North by Montgomeryshire It containeth in length 27 miles In breadth 20 miles And in Circumference 8 miles This Shire hath cold Air and sharp because of the Snow lying long unmelted under the shady Hills and hanging Rocks of which there are many The Soil saith Speed is hungry though not barren but that on the East and South parts is the best The North and West are rough and churlish and hardly bettered by painful Labour so that they serve chiefly for the reering of Cattel and Horses Their Commodities are Cattel Cheese and Horses It is in the Diocess of Hereford And hath in it 52 Parishes Out of it are elected 2 Members to sit in Parliament Knight 1 Radnor 1 Its Division is into 6 Hundreds viz. Knighton Rayadergowy Kevenllice Radnor Poinscastle Collowyni And in these Hundreds are 3 Market-Towns viz. New Radnor Thurs Knighton Thurs Prestaine Saturday The Shire-Town is Radnor It lies in the Latitude of 52 deg 22 min. It bears from London W. N. W. And is distant therefrom 115 miles Thus From London to Worcester 85 miles as in Worcestershire to Radnor 115. But by more accurate admeasurement the distance is found to be 148 miles from London The Town of Radnor is pleasantly seated under a Hill whereon formerly stood a large and strong Castle Although Radnor be the Shire-Town yet Prestayn for beauteous Building is the best in this Shire a Town of good Commerce and Trade and of late years much frequented There is no Remarque of note in all this Shire OF THE ISLANDS ABOUT England I. Of MAN Island THis Island lyeth open on the East against Lancashire On the West against Ireland On the South against Anglesey And on the North against Scotland It containeth in length 35 miles In breadth in the broadest place 10 miles And in Circumference 82 miles The Air is cold and sharp and needs must having for a shelter nothing but a Wall of Water The Soil is reasonable fruitful both for Corn and Cattel and by the industry of the Inhabitants yieldeth sufficient of every thing for its self and a moderate supply for other Countries The chief Commodities are Corn Cattel Fish Hemp and Flax. The People of this Island are happy in this That all Controversies are there determined by certain Judges whom they call Deemsters chosen among themselves without Writings or other charges If any complaint be made to the Magistrate of wrong done or received he presently takes up a Stone and fixeth his mark upon it and delivereth it to the Plaintiff by vertue of which he both calls his Adversary to appearance and also Summons his Witnesses If the Cause be more difficult or litigious and cannot be ended by the Magistrate it is then referred to 12 men whom they term The Keys of the Island This Island is so well managed for Civil Rule and Government that every man there possesseth his own in peace and safety No man liveth in fear of losing what he hath And the men there are not inclinable to Robbing Pilfering or Licentious living The Inhabitants are generally Religiously given and do much Reverence to their Pastors daily frequenting the Church and avoiding all Controversies either Ecclesiastical or Civil The Gentrey do much imitate the people of Lancashire both for their honest Carriage and good House-keeping Things Remarkable in this Island The middle part of this Island riseth up with high Hills the highest of which is called Sceafull from the top whereof upon a cleer day a man may easily behold three Kingdoms at once viz. England Scotland and Ireland The Women of this Countrey whensoever they go out of their doors gird themselves about with their Winding-sheet that they purpose to be Buried in to shew themselves mindful of their Mortality If a Woman at any time be condemned to die she is sowed up in a Sack and flung from a Rock into the Sea In the South part of the Island the Speech of the Inhabitants doth much incline to the Irish Tone as the Northern Inhabitants Speech doth to the Scotch The Island is defended by 2 Castles in it are 14 Parishes and 5 Market-Towns II. Of WIGHT Island THis Island is encompassed round with the Brittish Sea It containeth in length 20 miles In breadth 12 miles and in Circumference 60 miles The Air is delightful and very wholsom The Soil is very fruitful produceing Corn not enough only to supply the Inhabitants of the Island but to supply other neighbouring people The Sea about this Island is exceeding full of Fish And the Land is well stored with Grain and Cattel and almost all places are stored with Conies Hares Partridges and Pheasants The chief Commodities are Cattel Sea-Fowl Corn and Fish It is in the Diocess of Worcester And hath in it 36 Parishes It s Division is into two Medens viz. East-Meden West-Meden In it are 3 Market-Towns The Principal Town in this Island is Newport lying in the Latitude of 50 deg 35 min. This Town of Newport is well seated and much frequented It is very populous It hath an entrance into the Island from the Haven and a passage for Vessels of small Burthen unto the Key It is Governed by a Maior and Burgesses Things Remarkable in this Island In the year of Christ 1176. in this Island it raigned a Shower of Blood which continued the space of 2 hours III. Of JERSEY Island THis Island lyeth upon the Brittish Sea and hath upon the North parts the Coasts of Hampshire and on the South the Countrey of Normandy It containeth in length 10 miles In breadth 6 miles And in Circumference 38 miles It is a very delightful and pleasant Island The Soil is very fertile and produceth great store of Corn and Cattel but especially Sheep in abundance whose Wool is very fine and white of which they make Stockings The chief Commodities are Fish Cattel Sheep Lobsters Wool and in Summer the best Lobsters England affords Firing as Wood is very scarce and their chief firing is Turff Furze c. In the Island are 12 Parishes and 4 Castles The Captain is the Governour of the Island who appointeth