England Described

Barkshire.

IT is called in Latin Berkeria. It is bounded upon the East with Surrey, upon the North with the River of Thames from Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire upon the West with Wiltshire, and upon the South with Hantshire.

Abbendune or Abington, so called of the Abbay, rather than of one Abben an Irish Eremite of the Abby there. See Monasticon Anglicanum, pag. 97.

Farendon famous now for a Mercate there kept.

Wadley. It is situate in a vale, though not so fertile a soil, as some vales afford, yet a most commodious site, wholesome, in a delicious air, a rich and pleasant seat.

Newbury, as much as the Newburgh, a fair Town, well seated in a Champion plain.

Reading of the British word Redin, which signifieth Fearn (that growing here plentifully) excelleth all other Towns of this Shire in fair streets, and goodly houses: for wealth also of the Townsmen, and their name in making of Cloath. There is a very great Market.

Maidenhead, so named of the superstitious worshipping of I wot not what British Maidens-Head. Camd. Brit.

Maidenhead or Maidenhith. Hith in the old Saxon did signify a Wharf, Haven, or Landing-place. It had its name from the Wharf or Ferry, belonging at that time to some neighbouring Nunnery, or to some private Maidens dwelling thereabout, who then received the profits of it. So Queen-Hith in London took that appellation, because the profits of the Wharf were anciently accounted for to the Queens of England. Dr. Heylins Animadversion. on the Church. Hist. of Brit. lib. 1. p. 20. See Camden of Maiden-bradly in Wiltshire, fol. 243.

Windesore, A Royal Castle and House of the Kings, with the Town adjoining.

A Princes Seat cannot have a more pleasant situation. For from a high Hill that riseth with a gentle ascent, it enjoyeth a most delightful Prospect round about.

With the pleasantness of this place, Princes were allured, very often to retire themselves hither: and here was Edward the Third that most puissant King borne: who here built new out of the ground a most strong Castle, in bigness equal to a pretty City, fortified with Ditches and Bulwarks made of stone: and forthwith after he had subdued the French and Scots, held at one and the self same time John King of France, and David King of Scotland prisoners together in the same.

In this place King Edward the Third, for to adorn Martial Prowesse with Honors, the Guerdon of Virtue, ordained the most Noble Order and Society of Knights, whom he called Knights of the Garter: who wear on their left Legge, somewhat under the knee a Blew Garter, with these golden Letters in French, HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENS'E, Shame to him that evil thinks, and fasten the same with a Buckle of Gold, as with the Band of a most inward Society, in token of Concord and Unity, that there might be among them a certain Consociation and Communion of Virtues.

Some attribute the original of it unto the Garter of the Queen, or rather Joan Countess of Salisbury, a Lady of incomparable beauty, which fell from her as she danced, and the King took up from the floor: for when a number of Nobles and Gentlemen standing by laughed thereat, he made answer again, That shortly it would come to pass, that Garter should be in high honor and estimation. This is the most common, and most received report.

There is a Book entitled, Catechismus ordinis Equitum Perifcelidis, written long since by Belvaleti, the Popes Nuncio here, and published in the year 1631. by Bosquierus: wherein the Author makes an Allegory on the whole habit of the Order, the Matter, Colour, Fashion, Wearing, to the very Girdle. Dr. Heylins Antidotum Lincolniense. Sect. 3. ch. 10.

The mightiest Princes in Christendom, reputed it amongst their greatest honor to be chosen and admitted into this Company: and since, the first Institution thereof, there have been already received, and enrolled into this Order, which consisteth of six and twenty Knights, two and twenty Kings, or thereabout; besides our Kings of England, who are named Sovereigns thereof: to speak nothing of Dukes, and others of most high calling, very many.

The Founders of the Order, which in those days for stout courage and warlike Prowesse, had few or no Peers, and were in that regard advanced to that honor.

• Edward the Third King of England.
• Edward his eldest Son, and Prince of Wales.
• Henry Duke of Lancaster.
• Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick.
• Peter Copit de la Bouche.
• Ralph Earl of Stafford.
• William de Montacute Earl of Sarisbury.
• Roger Mortimer Earl of March.
• John Lord Lisle.
• Sir Bartholomew de Burgherst.
• Sir John Beauchamp.
• John Lord Mohun of Dunstere.
• Sir Hugh Courtne.
• Sir Thomas and Sir Otho Holland.
• Sir John Gray of Codnor.
• Sir Richard Fitz Simon.
• Sir Miles Stapleton.
• Sir Thomas Walle.
• Sir Hugh Wrothesly.
• Sir Neel Lorenge.
• Sir John Chandos.
• Sir James Audley.
• Sir Henry Eswi • .
• Sir Sanchio Dampredicourt.
• Sir Walter Pavely.

There is an honorable Family of Barons, surnamed of Windsore.

Eaton is hereto adjoined by a wooden Bridge over the Thames, and in it a fair College, and a famous School of good literature, founded and built by King Henry the Sixth: wherein besides the Provost, eight Fellows, and the singing Choristers, there are threescore Scholars, instructed in Grammar, and in due time preferred to the University of Cambridge.

It containeth twenty Hundreds, twelve Market Towns, and an hundred and forty Parishes.

Bedfordshire.

BEdford is the principal Town, whereof the Shire also taketh name.

A Town to be commended more for the pleasant situation, and antiquity thereof, then for beauty or largeness, although a man may tell five Churches in it.

Hockley in the Hole, so named of the miry way in Winter time, very troublesome to travellers: for the old Englishmen our Progenitors called deep mire Hock and Hocks.

Dunstable. This Town seated in a Chalky ground, well inhabited, and full of Inns, hath four streets answering to the four quarters of the world: in everyone of which there is a large Pond of standing water, for the public use of the Inhabitants.

It contains ten Market Towns, an hundred and sixteen Parishes.

Buckinghamshire.

IT brings forth Beech-trees plentitifully, which the English Saxons in elder times called Bucken, whence Buckingham the chief Town, and so the whole Shire took the name from Beech-trees.

The Country generally is of a rich plentiful soil, and passing full of inhabitants, who chiefly employ themselves in grazing of Cattle, there is store of Mutton and Beef.

Chiltern got that name according to the very nature of the soil of Chalkie Marle, which the ancient Englishmen termed Cylt or Chilt.

Marlow a pretty Town of no mean credit, taking name of the said Chalk commonly termed Marle: which being spread upon Corn-ground eaten out of heart with long tillage doth quicken the same again; so as that after one years rest it never lieth fallow, but yieldeth again to the Husbandman his seed in plentiful measure.

High Wickham or Wicombe rather from the turning of the River Thames, the Germane Saxons term any winding reach of River and Sea, a Wick, and Comb a low valle. This Town for largeness and fair building is equal to the greatest Town in this Shire, and in that it hath a Major for the Head Magistrate.

Colbroke-Pontes is parted into four channels, over which stand as many Bridges for the commodity of passengers, whence it took its name.

Hamden gave name to an ancient and well spread Family in these parts. Some say, one of that name was High-Sheriff when William the Conqueror came into England. There is part of▪ the House at great Hamden yet standing, which hath been built ever since the time of William the Conqueror.

They have ancient Records, one of which runs thus, Osbert Hamden Lord of Great Hamden, one of the Commissioners for expulsion of the Danes.

Ailesbury a fair Market Town, compassed about with many most pleasant green Meadows and Pastures, of which the whole Vale is termed the Vale of Ailesbury.

Ascot the principal mansion house of the Dormers, from whence descended the Dutches of Feria in Spain, and others of noble note.

Stony Stratford, named so of Stones, the Streetway, and a Fourd. The houses are built of a certain rough stone, which is digged forth in great abundance at Caversham hard by, and it standeth upon the public street, commonly called Watling-street, which was a military high-way made by the Romans, and is evidently to be seen yet beyond the Town with the Bank or Causey thereof, and hath a ford, but now hardly passable.

Newport-Painel so called of Sir Fulcod Painel the Lord thereof.

Here are an eleven Market Towns, and an hundred and eighty five Parishes.

Cambridgeshire.

CAmbridgeshire is famous for fish and fowl.

Cambridge a most famous Mart and Store-house of good Literature and Godliness, standeth upon the River Cam, which turning into the East, divideth it into two parts, and hath a Bridge over it, whence arose the name Cambridge.

Neither is there wanting anything here, that a man may require in a most flourishing University, were it not that the Air is somewhat unhealthful, arising as it doth out of a fenny ground hard by.

There are sixteen Colleges in it.

Saint Ides is one of the famousest Markets of England, it serves several Counties.

The Isle of Eli.

There are several Etymologies of it given by Camden.

Eli a Bishops See , the City hath an unwholesome Air by reason of the fens round about, although it be seated somewhat higher.

Hard under Cambridge Eastward near unto Sture, a little brook, is kept every year in the Moneth of September, the greatest Fair of all England, whether you respect the multitude of buyers and sellers resorting thither, or the store of Commodities there to be vented.

Neer unto Cambridge on the South-East side, there appear aloft certain high Hills called Gogmagog. On the top of them is a very large Fort, entrenched, strengthened with a three-fold Rampire.

Wisbich amongst Fennes and waters.

It hath eight Market Towns, and an hundred and sixty three Parishes.

Cheshire.

IT is very pleasant and plenteous in all things needful for man's use, and therefore had the name of the Vale Royal of England from Edward the First.

The Grass and Fodder there is of that goodness and virtue, that Cheeses are made there in great number, of a most pleasing and delicate taste, such as all England again affordeth not the like; no, though the best dayriwomen otherwise, and skillfullest in Chees-making be had from hence.

This Region hath always bred more Gentry than the other Countries in England: For you have not in all England again any one Province beside, that in old time either brought more valorous Gentlemen into the field, or had more families in it of Knights degree.

The Breretons, Manwarings and Venables are the most noble Families in that County.

On the South-side it is hemmed in with Shropshire, on the East-side with Staffordshire and Darbyshire, on the North with Lancashire, and on the West with Denbigh and Flintshire.

The River Dee, called in Latin Deva, breeding very great plenty of Salmons, ariseth out of two fountains in Wales, and thereof men think it took the name: for Dwy in their tongue signifieth two.

This River no sooner is entered into Cheshire, but it passeth by Banchor, a famous Monastery. It fostered and brought up (as some write) the most wicked Arch-heretic Pelagius, who injuriously derogating from the grace of God, troubled a long time the west Church with his pestiferous Doctrine. Prosper Aquitanus in this Verse of his, termeth him the British Adder,

Chester or West-Chester, of the West situation.

This City built in form of a quadrant, four square, is enclosed with a wall that taketh up more then two miles in compass, and hath eleven Parishes.

Neer unto the River standeth the Castle upon a rocky Hill, built by the Earls: where the Courts Palatine, and the Assizes, as they call them, are kept twice a year.

The Houses are very fair built, and along the chief streets are Galleries or Walking-places, they call them Rows, having shops on both sides, through which a man may walk dry from one end to another.

It is called the County Palatine of Chester, because the Earls thereof had Royalties and Princely privileges belonging to them, and all the Inhabitants owed Allegiance and Fealty to them as they did to the King.

One Hugh Wolf was made Earl of Chester by William the First, and the County given him in Fee, Tenendum sibi & Haeredibus it a vere ad Gladium sicut ipse Rex tenebat Angliam ad Coronam. And as the King, so he for his Heirs had their Barons, by that name specially known.

King Edgar in magnificent manner triumphed over the British Princes. For sitting himself in a Barge at the fore-deck, Kennadie King of the Scots, Malcoline King of Cumberland, Macon King of Mann, and of the Islands, with all the Princes of Wales, brought to do homage, and like Watermen working at the Oar, rowed him along the River Dee, in a triumphant show, to his great glory, and joy of the beholders.

King Henry the Seventh made it a County by itself incorporate.

Bunbury contractly so called, or Boniface-Bury, Boniface was the Patron Saint there.

Beeston- Castle hath a wall of a great circuit.

Here are very famous Salt-pits, or Salt-wiches, five or six miles distant asunder, where brine or salt water is drawn out of pits, which they boil over the fire, to make salt thereof. These were known unto the Romans, and from hence was usually paid the Custom for salt, called Salarium.

Nantwich, Middle-wich, Nortwich:

Nantwich, which the River Wever first visiteth, is reputed the greatest and fairest built Town of all this Shire after Chester. It is called the White-wich or Salt-pit, because the whitest salt is there boiled.

North-wich is called the Black-salt pit.

Congleton a Mercat Town, famous for Gloves, Purses and Points of Leather.

Kinderton the old seat of the ancient race of the Venables, whoever since the first coming in of the Normans have been of name and reputation here, and commonly are called Barons of Kinderton.

Brereton hath given Name to the worshipful, ancient and numerous Family of the Breretons Knights.

Before any Heir of this House of the Breretons dieth, there are seen in a Pool adjoining, bodies of trees swimming for certain days together, so Camden, but some deny this.

Middle-wich, there are two Wels of salt water parted one from the other by a small brook.

Maclesfield one of the fairest Towns of this County.

Lee from whence there is a Family bearing the same surname, that is not only of gentle blood, and of especial note, but also far and fairly propagated into a number of branches. Camd Britain.

High Leigh in Cheshire I think gave Names to all the renowned Races of that Name in this County. Two distinct Descents of the same Name have their seats in the same place, and there have continued in a long succession of their Ancestors, Knights and Esquires of much worth: one is Thomas Leigh, the other is Peter Leigh Esquires. King of Cheshire.

Lime in Cheshire a great Family of the Name of the Leighs, of whom there have been many famous Knights, Sir Peter now the Possessor thereof. King of Cheshire.

Cholmundeston or Cholmeston anciently the Lands of the Leighs of Rushall in Staffordshire. King of Cheshire, pag. 74.

It containeth thirteen Market Towns, and sixty eight Parishes.

Cornwall.

IT extends in length to about seventy miles, the breadth in the largest place passeth not thirty. Carews Survey of Cornwall.

Speed computes the length sixty miles, and the breadth forty.

It is called by later Writers Cornubia in Latin, of all Britain it doth bear most Westward, because it waxeth smaller and smaller in manner of an Horn, and runneth forth into the Sea, with little promontories, as if they were Horns on every side. Others would have it so called of one Corin, and do call it Corinea. Camd. Brit.

There is digged here wonderful store of Tin, yielding exceeding much profit and commodity, whereof are made household Pewter vessels, which are used throughout many parts of Europe in service of the Table, and for their glittering brightness, compared with silver-plate.

Terra admodum sterilis, fructum magis ex cultorum industria, quam ex sua bonitate praebet: sed fert uberius plumbum nigrum & album, hoc est, stannum, in quo effodiendo maxim consistit vita incolarum. Polyd. Verg. Angl. Hist. l. 1.

The Kings of England, and Dukes of Cornwall, in their times have reserved to themselves a praeemption of Tinne (by the opinion of the learned in the Law) as well in regard of the Propriety, as being chief Lord's and Proprietaries; as of their Royal Prerogative.

Not only Tin is here found, but therewith also Gold and Silver; yea and Dyamonds shaped, and pointed angle-wise, smoothed also by Nature itself: whereof some are as big as Wall-nuts, and inferior to the orient Dyamonds, in blackness and hardness only.

So plentiful is this Country of grain, although not without great toil of the Husbandman, that it hath not only sufficient to maintain itself, but also affordeth often times great store of Corn into Spain.

Besides a most rich Revenue and Commodity they have by those little Fishes that they call Pilchards, which swarming, as one would say, in mighty great skulls about the shores from July unto November, are there taken, garbaged, falted, hanged in the smoke, laid up, pressed, and by infinite numbers carried over into France, Spain, and Italy, unto which Countries they be very good chaffer, and right welcome merchandize, and are there named Fumados.

Michael a Cornish Poet, and of Rhymers in his time the chies, hath these Verses of Cornwall.

The people three are civil, valiant, hardy, well pitched in stature, brawny and strong limbed: such as for wrestling (to speak nothing of that manly exercise, and feat of hurling the Ball, which they use) so far excel, that for slight and clean strength together, they justly win the prize and praise from other Nations in that behalf.

Godolphin-Hill right famous for plentiful veins of Tin, but much more renowned in regard of the Lord's thereof, bearing the same name, who with their virtues have equalled the ancientness of that House and Linage. That name in the Cornish Language came of a white Eagle, and this Family hath anciently born for their Arms in a Shield Gules, an Aegle displayed Argent, between three Flower-deluces of the same Shield.

Falemouth-Haven is as noble as Brindisi itself in Italy: of exceeding great capacity; for it is able to receive an hundred Ships, which may ride therein so apart by themselves, that out of never an one of them the top of another's Mast can be seen: and most safe withal under the wind, by reason that it is enclosed on every side with brims of high rising banks.

The Gullet on either hand, as well for the defense and safety of the place, as for terror to enemies, is fortified with Block-houses: to wit, the Castle of Maudit Eastward, and toward the West, the Fort Pendinaes, both built by King Henry the Eighth.

Foy a Town most renowned in former ages, for Sea fights: which the very Arms of the Town do witness, as being compounded of the Cinque-ports Arms.

Padstow a pretty Market Town, so called short for Petrockstow of one Petroch a Britain, canonized a Saint by the people: who spent his days here in the service of God.

Edward the Third erected Cornwall into a Dukedom, and invested Edward his Son, a Prince most accomplished with Martial Prowesse, in the year of Christ, 1336. Duke of Cornwall, by a Wreath on his Head, a Ring upon his Finger, and a silver Verge.

Since which time, the King of England's eldest Son is reputed Duke of Cornwall by birth.

Launston the chief Town.

The Promontory named the Lands end, the most Western point of the Kingdom.

It containeth nine Hundreds, two and twenty Market Towns, an hundred sixty and one Parishes.

Cumberland.

IT took the name of the Inhabitauts, who were the true and natural Britons, and called themselves in their own language Kumbri.

This Country although it be somewhat with the coldest, as lying far North, and seemeth as rough by reason of Hills, yet for the variety thereof it smileth upon the beholders, and giveth contentment to as many as travel it.

Of all the Shires we have, it is accounted the best furnished with the Roman Antiquities. Burtons Comment. on Antoninus his Itin. p. 13.

At Newlands there are copper or brass Mines.

Skiddaw-Hill is very high.

Solway Frith, so called of Solway a Town in Scotland standing upon it.

Under this Burgh, within the very Frith where the salt water ebbeth and floweth, the Englishmen and Scottish, by report of the Inhabitants, fought with their Fleets at full Sea, and also with their Horsemen and Footmen at the ebb.

Hard by the Riveret Dacor, standeth Dacre- Castle, of signal note, because it hath given surname to the honorable Family of the Barons Dacre.

Carlisle. This ancient City is fortified with strong walls of stone, with a Castle, and Citadel, as they term it.

Here begun Picts- wall, or simply by way of excellency, The Wall, the limit of the Roman Province, continued through this Country, and Northumberland, and ending in Walls-end.

Here are nine Market Towns, and fifty eight Parishes.

Darbyshire.

IT is a plentiful Country, there are many Minerals, and several kinds of Stones.

Darby is the chief Town of all this Shire, a Town of good trade.

There be five Churches in it: Of which the greatest named All-Hallows, dedicated to the memory of All-Saints, hath a Tower-steeple, that for height, and singular fine Workmanship excelleth.

They had a famous Minister there one Chapel, which was brother to him that was of Cambridge, and went afterward into Ireland. He did much good in Darby. When King James came thither a witty Butcher in the Town said thus to him,

The Assizes are there kept for the whole Shire, and the best nappy Ale is brewed there, in two places especially. It is the ancient and peculiar drink of the Englishmen and Britain's, and very wholesome.

Henry of Aurenches the Norman Arch-Poet to King Henry the Third, merrily jested on it in these Verses.

The wealth of this Town consisteth much of buying of Corn, and selling it again to the mountains: for all the Inhabitants are a kind of Badgers.

Thomas Linaker the famous Scholar was born here, and so was Mr. Cotton the famous Minister of Boston, and Dr. Wilmot near it.

Chesterfield a Market Town.

The Peak (which signifieth to appear aloft) is severed from Staffordshire by the Dove a most swift and clear River.

It is plentiful of Lead, also Stibium or Antimony. Mill-stones likewise are here hewed out, as also Grinde-stones and Whet-stones, to give an edge unto iron tools.

Under the old Castle, called the Castle in the Peak, there is a Cave or Hole within the ground, called the Devils Arse, Devils Arse in Peak, that gapeth with a wide mouth, and hath in it many turnings and retiring rooms.

This Hole is reckoned one of the wonders of England.

There are several other wonders in the Peak.

Ashburn in the Peak.

There is a place called Elden-Hole, which lies two miles distant from Castleton a Town in the high Peak, it is within the Peak Forest, it descendeth directly down into the earth, it is about thirty yards long, and fifteen yards broad at the top of it, but is much straighter when it cometh forty yards deep. You may see into it about sixty yards, being as far as the light which cometh in at the mouth of the Hole will give light to see: it is fearful to look into, being a face of rock on each side. About sixty years since one Mr. Henry Cavendish (eldest brother to Sir Charles Cavendish) who had spent all his days in travel, had been at Jerusalem, and several other parts of the world, and hearing of this place, came to it, and caused Engines to be made or to let a man into the Hole, which being done, one George Bradley of the Peak Forest was let down in a rope fourscore yards. And then another Engine was made to let him go further, and from thence he was let down fourscore yards further, and at the end thereof a third Engine was made whereby he was let down almost fourscore yards further, at the top of the rope was fastened a Bell, which he was to ring if he could go no further, or would return back; when he was let down almost the third fourscore yards, he rung the Bell, and being drawn up, he was much affrighted, remained speechless for a time, and was struck with lameness; but after he recovered his speech, he declared, that as he descended down, were bones of Deer, Sheep, and other Cattle, and also of men, and that he was affrighted, but how, or in what manner he could not tell; he lived several years, but never was in perfect memory, nor sound of his limbs.

Within the Town of Buxton, there is a Bath called Buxton-Well which cureth very many Diseases. There are two springs of water, the one within a hand breadth of the other, the one is very hot, the other cold as ice.

There are eight Market Towns, six Hundreds, and an hundred and six Parishes in this County.

Denshire, OR Devonshire.

A Country harborous on either side with commodious Havens, enriched with Tin-mines, especially Westward; garnished with pleasant medows, sightly with great store of woods, and passing well replenished with Towns and buildings.

There is not any place almost in all England, where the ground requireth greater charges. For in most parts thereof it groweth in manner barren, if it be not over-strewed and mingled with a certain sand from the Sea, which is of great efficacy to procure fertility, by quickening, as it were, and giving life unto the Glebe: and therefore in places far from the shore it is bought at a dear rate.

On Teave a little River Teavistock, commonly Tavistoke fluorisheth, a Town in times past famous for the Abbay there.

Of the River Plime, the Town adjoining to it, is called Plimmouth, sometimes named Sutton.

Of late time it became of a poor fisher Village to be a great Town, and for the number of Inhabitants grown to that pass (as now it is to be seen) that it may be compared with a City.

Such is the commodiousnesse of the Haven, which without striking sail admitteth into the bosom thereof the tallest Ships that be, and doth harbor them very safely, and is sufficiently fortified against hostility.

The whole Town is divided into four Wards, governed by a Major, ordained there by King Henry the Sixth, and under him every Ward had in times past a Captain set over it, each of them likewise had his inferior Officers.

The Circuit of this Town is not great, but much renowned it is among foreign Nations: and not so much for the comodious Haven, as the valor of the Inhabitants in Sea-services of all sorts. From hence was Sir Francis Drake that famous Knight, and most skillful man at Sea. In the year 1577. putting to Sea from hence, he entered into the Straits of Magellane, and in two years and ten months, thorough many alternative varieties of Fortune, God being his guide, and Valour his Confort, was the next after Magellaenus, that sailed round about the world. Whereupon, one wrote thus unto him,

Plimpton a Mercate Town, well frequented.

Dertmouth a Port Town, by reason of the commodious Haven, defended with two Castles much frequented by Merchants, and furnished with good shipping.

Excester, so called from the River Isc, and by the Saxons Ex. It is a Bishops See. It is situate upon a little Hill, gently arising with an easy ascent to a pretty height, environed about with Ditches, and very strong Walls, and containeth in circuit a mile and an half, having Suburbs running out a great way on each side. In it there are fifteen Parish Churches, and in the very highest part thereof, near the East-gate, a Castle called Rugemont, at this day commended for nothing else, but the antiquity and situation thereof: For it commandeth the whole City and Territory about it, and hath a very pleasant prospect into the Sea.

Joseph Iscanus was born here, and from hence took his surname, a Poet of a most excellent wit, whose writings were so well approved, as that they had equal commendation with the Works of ancient Poets. For his Poem of the Trojan War was divulged once or twice in Germany under the name of Cornelius Nepos.

The Civil Government of this City is in the power of four and twenty persons: out of whom there is from year to year a Major elected; who with four Bailiffs ruleth here the State. This City hath three Dukes.

Tawstoke a very ancient Town, for elegant building and frequency of people, held chief in all this Coast.

The Inhabitants (for the most part) are Merchants, who in France and Spain trade and traffick much. Out of this Towns School, there issued two right learned men, and most renowned Divines, John Jewel Bishop of Salisbury, and Thomas Harding the public Professor in Lovain, who most hotly contended, and wrote learnedly one against the other, concerning the truth of Religion.

This Shire containeth thirty three Hundreds, thirty seven Market Towns, three hundred and ninety four Parishes.

Dorsetshire.

IT is bounded on the North-side with Somersetshire and Wiltshire, on the West with Devonshire, and some part of Somersetshire, on the East with Hampshire: On the South part, where it carrieth the greatest length, it lieth all open to the Sea.

Some say, there are within six miles compass round about Dorchester, three hundred thousand Sheep.

It is a fruitful soil, and a great Ship Country.

Lime a little Town situate upon a deep Hill, so called of a small River of the same name running hard by.

Shaftsbury a Town of note.

Baurtport, or more truly Birtport, is placed between two small Rivers which there meet together. In respect of the soil yielding the best Hemp, and skill of the people for making Ropes and Cables for Ships, it was provided by a special Statute, to remain in force for a certain set time, that Ropes for the Navy of England should be twisted nowhere else.

Portland an Island, so called of one Port a noble Saxon, who Anno 703. infested and sore annoyed these Coasts.

Weymouth a little Town upon the mouth of Wey a small River; over against which on the other side of the Bank standeth Kings-Melcomb, divided from the other only by the Haven between.

Pool in calm weather, when the waters are still, resembleth a Pond, whence it received its name. A Mercat Town exceeding rich and wealthy, beautified with goodly Houses.

Frau or Frome, the greatest and most famous River of all this tract.

Dorchester is the head Town of the whole Shire, and yet is neither great nor beautiful. It hath but three Parish Churches.

The Forest of White-Hart. When King Henry the Third came hither to hunt, and had taken other Deer, he spared a most beautiful and goodly White Hart, which afterwards T. de la Lynde a Gentleman of this Country, with others in his company took and killed. But the King put them to a grievous Fine of money for it, and the very Lands which they held pay even to this day every year by way of Amercement a piece of money into the Exchequer, which is called White-Hart silver.

Shirburn Town or Castle is sited in the hanging of an Hill, a pleasant and proper seat: It is the most populous and best haunted Town of this Country, and gaineth exceeding much by clothing.

It containeth thirty four Hundreds, eighteen Market Towns, and two hundred and forty eight Parishes.

Durham or Duresme.

DUresme the chief Town, in Latin Dunelmum, a County Palatine, and a Bishops See.

It is seated on high, it is shaped in form of an Egg.

The River Teise or Teisis, commonly Tees, boundeth the South part of this County.

It first beateth upon Bernard- Castle, built and so named by Bernard Balliol the great Grand-fathers Father of John Balliol King of the Scots.

Hartle-Poole a good Town of Trade, and a safe Harbor for fishing.

By the Tine there is situate a memorable Town called Gateshead, or Goateshead: The common people think it is far more ancient than New-Castle itself.

This name was given unto this place by occasion of some Inn that had a Goats-head for the Sign.

Jarrow, the native soil of venerable Bede.

Thomas Wolsey Cardinal, who in his high prosperity wanted nothing but moderation, and Cuthbert Tunstall, who for singular knowledge in the best Sciences, sincere holiness of life, a singular Ornament to his native Country, were Bishops of Durham.

Essex.

A Country large in compass, fruitful, full of Woods, plentiful of Saffron, and very wealthy: encircled, as it were, on the one side with the main Sea, on the other with Fish-full Rivers, which also do afford their peculiar Commodities in great abundance.

The Air is temperate and pleasant, only towards the waters somewhat aguish, insomuch that in one Hundred they will ask a stranger merrily, Whether the Bailiff of the Hundred hath yet arrested him.

Waltham Forest of the Town Waltham. It was stored very full with Deer, that for their bigness and fatness withal, have the name above all other.

Rochford, it hath given name to an Hundred. It is aguish.

Rumford, the glory whereof dependeth on a Swine Mercat.

Brent-wood a Mercat Town.

Engerstone a Town of note for nothing else but the Mercat and Inns for travellers.

Chensford a good big Town situate in the heart of the Shire between two Rivers: Of note only for the Assizes.

Cogeshall a Mercate Town.

Maldon for the number of the Inhabitants, and the bigness, it is worthily counted one of the principal Towns in all Essex, and in Records named, The Burgh of Maldon. It is a Haven commodious enough, and for the bigness very well inhabited, being but one especial street descending much about a mile in length, upon the ridg of an Hill answerable to the termination of Dunum, which signified an hilly and high situation.

Colchester a proper and fine Burrough, well traded, and pleasantly seated, as being situate upon the brow of an Hill, stretching out from West to East, walled about, beautified with several Churches, some of which were lately demolished.

The Inhabitants affirm, that Flavia Julia Helena the Mother of Constantine the Great was borne and bred there.

Harewich a most safe Road, whence it hath the name. The Town is not great, but well peopled, fortified by Art and Nature.

Walden of Saffron called Saffron Walden, among the fields looking merrily with most lovely Saffron. A very good Mercat Town.

Here Sir Thomas Smith, Secretary to Queen Elizabeth, a wise and learned man was born.

Audley-end, a magnificent House built by the Earl of Suffolk, where there is a spacious and very broad Gallery.

Barrington-Hall, where dwelleth that right ancient Family of the Baringtons.

Lees-Abbey now the Seat of the right Honorable Lord Rich, Baron Lees, and Earl of Warwick.

It contains twenty Hundreds, one and twenty Market Towns, and four hundred and fifteen Parishes.

Glocestershire.

ON the West-side butteth on Monmouthshire and Herefordshire; on the North on Worcestershire; on the East upon Warwickshire and Oxfordshire both; on the South with Somersetshire.

A pleasant Country, and fruitful in Corn, Wooll, Apples and Pears, and Severn full of Salmon.

Commonly through all Glocestershire there is good plenty of Corn, Pasture and Wood, saving in Coteswold, where the great flocks of Sheep be, and yet in some places there groweth fair Corn. Lelands Itinerary.

Forest of Dean, or Dean-Forest was wholly bespread with thick tall Wood.

It is between two navigable Rivers Wie and Severn.

It was a wonderful thick Forest, and in former ages so dark and terrible, by reason of crooked and winding ways, as also the grisly shade therein, that it made the Inhabitants more fierce, and bolder to commit robberies. Since that rich Mines of Iron were here found out, those thick woods began to wax thin by little and little.

Tewksbury. It is a great and fair Town, having three Bridges to pass over, standing upon three Rivers, famous for the best Mustard. One may carry it in bals a long way.

Gloucester the head City of this Shire.

It lieth stretched out in length over Severne: on that side where it is not watered with the River, it hath in some places a very strong Wall for defense. A proper and fine City both for number of Churches, and for the buildings.

Above the Choir, in an Arch of this Church, there is a Wall built in form of a Semi-circle full of Corners, with such an artificial devise, that if a man speak with never so low a voice at the one part thereof, and another lay his ear to the other being a good way distant, he may also hear every syllable.

Cotswold, it took its name of Woulds and Cotes, that is Hills and Sheepfolds.

Here feed in great numbers, flocks of Sheep long necked, and square of bulk and bone, by reason of the hilly and large situation of their pasturage: whose Wooll being most fine and soft is had in passing great account among all Nations.

Barkly honored with a Castle, whereof the Lord Barklies are entitled.

Camden a Mercat Town well peopled, and of good resort. Near unto it standeth Weston, where there is a fair House which maketh a goodly show, built by Ralph Sheldon for him and his posterity.

Hales in late time a most flourishing Abbey, and deserving commendation for breeding up of Alexander of Hales a great Clerk, and so deeply learned above all others in that subtle Divinity of the Schoolmen, as he carried away the surname of Doctor Irrefr agabilis, the Doctor ungain said, as he that could not be gain-said.

Winchelcomb a great Town, and well inhabited.

Cyrencester a famous Mercat Town, both for Corn upon the Monday, and for Wooll and Yarn on the Friday.

Bibery. There is a spring under the side of a Hill which is so forcible, that it serves to drive a Mill about a stones cast from it.

Strowd, whence the name of Strowdwater, where are multitudes of rich Clothiers, fair building, and famous also for dying of Cloaths, by reason of the nature of the water.

It containeth thirty Hundreds, two hundred and eighty Parishes.

Hantshire.

ON the West it hath Dorsetshire and Wiltshire; on the South the Ocean to bound it: on the East it joineth to Sussex and Surrey, and on the North it bordereth upon Barkshire.

A small Province it is, fruitful in Corn, rich in plenteous Pasture, and for all commodities of sea most wealthy and happy.

Wools, Clothes and Iron are the general Commodities of this Shire.

Ringwood a well frequented Mercat Town.

New-Forest. King William of Normandy pulled down all the Towns, Villages, Houses, and Churches far and near, cast out the poor Inhabitants, and when he had so done, brought all within thirty miles compass, or thereabout, into a Forest and Harbor for wild Beasts.

Hurst- Castle commandeth Seaward everywhere.

South-hanton a Town populous, rich and beautiful, from whom the whole Shire deriveth her name.

Andover.

Winchester in Latin Wintonia; a City flourishing even in the Romans times.

It is indifferently well peopled and frequented, having plenty of water, by reason of the River conveyed divers ways into it; it containeth about a mile and half in circuit within the Walls: which open at six Gates, and have everyone of them their Suburbs reaching forth without a good way. It is adorned with magnificent Churches, and a Bishops See. There is a fair College which William Wickham Bishop of this See, built for a School, out of which, both for Church and Commonwealth, there ariseth a most plentiful increase of right learned men.

In this College, one Warden, ten Fellows, two Schoolmasters, threescore and ten Scholars, with divers others are plentifully maintained.

Potesmouth, that is, the mouth of the Haven. A place always in time of war well frequented. It is fortified with a Wall made of Timber, and the same well covered over with thick Banks of earth: There is nothing wanting that a man would require in a most strong and fenced place. Of the Garison Soldiers, some keep watch and ward both night and day at the Gates: Others upon the Tower of the Church, who by the ringing or sound of a Bell give warning how many Horse or Foot are coming, and by putting forth a Banner show from what Quarter they come.

Basing stoke a Mercat Town well frequented.

Basing is near it, the Seat of the Marquesses of Winchester.

Odiam a Borough corporate, belonging in times past to the Bishop of Winchester.

William Lily the great Grammarian was born here. He was the first Master of Paul's School.

There are in this Shire two hundred and fifty three Parishes, eighteen Market Towns, and forty Hundreds.

To this County of Southampton belongeth the Isle of Wight, Vecta, or Vectis Insula.

This Isle, between East and West in an old form, stretcheth out twenty miles in length; and spreadeth in the midst, which is broadest, twelve miles. So Camden.

Leland saith, it is ten miles broad.

The Ground (to say nothing of the Sea full of Fish) consisteth of a very fruitful soil, it breeds everywhere store of Coneys, Hares, Partridges and Pheasants. It hath one little Forest, and two Parks replenished with Deer, for game and hunting pleasure. Through the midst thereof runs a long tract of Hills, yielding plenty of Pasture and Forrage for Sheep. The Wooll of which, next unto that of Lemster and Cotteswold, is esteemed best, and in special request with Clothiers, whereby there groweth to the Inhabitants much gain and profit.

There are thirty six Towns, Villages, and Castles: which for Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction belonged to the Bishop of Winchester, and for Civil Government to the County of South-hanton.

It armeth four thousand men exercised by their Captains.

The Inhabitants of this Isle were wont merrily to make their boast, That their case was happier than all others, because they had neither hooded Monks, nor cavilling Lawyers, nor yet crafty Foxes.

Newport is the principal Mercat Town of the whole Isle.

Caresbrook an old Castle is in the very heart and midst of the Isle.

Brading a Mercat Town.

Newton and Yarmouth have their Mayors, and send Burgesses to the Parliament.

Sauham- Castle.

The Inhabitants of the Isle being naturally most warlike, bold and adventurous, are through the diligence and care of the Captain of the Isle, confirmed so by continual exercise in strength and military Discipline, that they exactly know beforehand with their Peeces to shoot point-blank, and not miss the Mark, to keep their ranks, to march orderly and in ray, to cast their squadrons, if need be, close into a ring, to display and spread the same at large, to take pains, to run and ride, to endure both Sun and dust, and fully to perform whatsoever warfare doth require.

Of these Soldiers thus trained, the Isle itself is able to bring forth into the field four thousand: and at the instant for all assays appointed, there are three thousand more of most expert and practiced Soldiers out of Hantshire, and two thousand beside out of Wiltshire, to be ever pressed and in readiness for the defense of the Isle.

That all hostile Forces whatsoever might be withstood more speedily and with greater facility, the whole Country is divided into eleven parts, and every of them hath their several Centoner or Centurion, their Vinton also, Leaders (as it were) of twenty, their great pieces of Ordnance, their Sentinels and Warders, who keep Watch and Ward at the Beacons standing on the higher grounds: their Posts also or Runners, whom by an old name, grown almost out of use, they term still Hoblers, who presently give intelligence of all occurrence to the Captain and Governor of the Isle.

Vespasian was the first that brought it into subjection, whiles he served as a private person under Claudius Caesar.

This Isle had a noble Family, named De Insula, or Lisle, out of which in the Reign of King Edward the Second, one was summoned unto the Parliament by the name of Sir John Lisle, of the Isle of Wight.

Herefordshire.

THis County lieth round in compass, as it were a Circle, it is bounded on the East-side with Worcester and Glocestershire; on the South with Monmouthshire; on the West-side with Radnoc and Brecknotshire; and on the North with Shropshire.

For three W. W. W. Wheat, Wooll and Water it yieldeth to no Shire of England.

This Country is reputed the Orchard of England. From the greatest persons to the poorest cottager, all habitations are encompassed with Orchards and Gardens; and in most places the hedges are enriched with rows of Fruit-trees, Pears or Apples, Gennetmoyles, or Crab-trees. Worcestershire is more proper for Pears and Cherries; Herefordshire for Apples.

Herefordshire Orchards, a Pattern for all England. By J. B.

Bradwardine- Castle gave both original and name to that famous Thomas Bradwardine Archbishop of Canterbury, who for his variety of knowledge, and profound Learning, was in that age termed, The profound Doctor.

Hereford is the chief City of the Shire, it is seated among most pleasant Meadows, and as plentiful Corn-fields, compassed almost round about with Rivers. On the North-side and the West with one that hath no name; on the South-side with Wye, which hasteneth hither out of Wales.

Lemster upon the River Lug. The greatest name and fame that it hath at this day is of the Wooll in the Territories round about it, (Lemster Ore they call it) which setting aside that of Apulia and Tarentum all Europe counteth to be the very best.

In Apulia and the upper Calabria of Italy, the Wool hath been famous for finest excellence: insomuch that for preserving it from the injury of earth, bushes and weather, the Shepherds used to clothe their Sheep with skins; and indeed was so chargeable in these and other kind of pains about it, that it scarce requites the cost.

Seld. Illustrat. of Drayt. Polyolb.

Brameyard upon the River Frome.

Ledbury under Malvern- Hills.

It is also so renowned for Wheat and Bread of the finest Flour, that Lemster Bread, and Weabley Ale are grown unto a common Proverb. By reason of these Commodities the Mercates at Lemster were so frequented, that they of Hereford and Worcester, complaining, that the confluence of people thither impaired their Mercates, procured that by Royal Authority the Mercat day was changed.

There are an hundred and seventy six Parishes, eight Market Towns, and an eleven Hundreds in this County.

Hertfordshire.

FAmous for a good Air, and fair Houses of Gentlemen, and Wheat.

It lieth on the East, and partly on the South-side of Bedfordshire: The West-side is enclosed with Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire: the South with Middlesex, the East with Essex, and the North with Cambridgeshire.

A rich Country in Corn, Fields, Pastures, Meadows, Woods, Groves, and clear Riverets. There is scarcely another Shire in all England that can show more good Towns in so small a compass.

In Ware in this County, there is

• 1. The Head of the River that runs into Tames.
• 2. A great Bed which is about three yards at least every way about, at both the sides and ends.

Roiston a Town well known, it is very famous, and passing much frequented for Malt.

It parts four Shires, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Huntingtonshire.

Ashwell, The Well or Fountain among the ashes, where there is a source of the springs bubbling out of a stony bank overshadowed on every side with tall ashes, from whence there floweth at certain Veins, continually running such store of water, that forthwith being carried within banks, it carrieth a stream able to drive a Mill, and all of a sudden, as it were, groweth to a good big River.

Whethamssed a Town plentiful in Wheat, whence it took its name; which place John of Whethamsted there born, and thereof named, a man in King Henry the Sixth his days much renowned by his due desert of learning, made of more estimation.

Bishops-Hatfield in times past belonging to the Bishops of Eli, whence it was named Bishops-Hatfield, which John Morton Bishop of Eli re-edified. The Earl of Salisbury hath an House there.

There were seven Parks in the Manor of Hatfield.

Hertford, it hath given name to the whole County, and is reputed the Shire Town, it is ancient.

Hodesdon a fair thorough fare.

Saint-Albans. It was famous for nothing so much as bringing forth Alban a Citizen of singular holiness and faith in Christ, who when Dioclesian went about by exquisite torments to wipe Christian Religion quite out of the memory of men, was the first in Britain that with invincible constancy and resolution suffered death for Christ his sake. Whereupon he is called our Stephen, and the Protomartyr of Britain.

Fortunatus Presbyter the Poet wrote thus of him,

The Abbey of St. Albans was the first of England, whether because Adrian the Fourths Father called Breakspear was Monk there, or from Saint Alban himself Proto-martyr of England.

This Town was raised out of the ruins of Verolamium, it is a fair and large Town.

Redborne or Red water is seated upon that common and military high-way, which we call Watling-street.

Hamsted a little Mercat Town called Hehan Hamsted situate among the the Hills by a Riveret-side.

Kings-Langley, in which was born, and thereof took name, Edmund Langley King Edward the Third his Son, and Duke of York.

Over against Kings-Langley, in a manner, there is Abbots-Langley, so called, because it belonged to the Abbots of St. Albanes: wherein was born Nicholas surnamed Breakspear, afterwards Bishop of Rome, known by the name of Pope Hadrian the fourth, whose breath was stopped in the end with a Fly that flew into his mouth.

Watford a Mercat Town.

Welwen. Here the murder of the Danes began, when they were generally murdered; and it was so called, because the weal of that Country (as was then thought) was there first won. But who well considers the sequel of the story, shall find little weal that ensued of this deed. Graftons Chron.

Rickemausworth also a Mercat Town.

Caishobery. Here Sir Richard Merisin Knight, a great learned man, and who had been used in Embassages to the mightiest Princes under King Henry the Eighth, and King Edward the Sixth began to build an House, which Sir Charles his Son finished.

Bernet famous for the Beast Mercat there kept.

This County hath an hundred and twenty Parishes, eight Hundreds, and eighteen Market Towns.

Huntingdonshire.

IT confineth Northward and Eastward upon Cambridgeshire, Southward upon Bedfordshire, Westward upon Northamptonshire.

A Country good for Corn and Tillage: and toward the East, where it is fenny, very right and plentiful for the feeding of Cattle: elsewhere right pleasant, by reason of rising Hills and shady Groves.

Kimbolton.

Saint-Neots, commonly called Saint-Needs, so named of one Neotus, a man both learned and holy; who travailed all his life time in propagating of Christian Religion.

Ainsbury, it was named Ainulphsbury of one Almulph likewise, an holy and devout man, which name continueth still also in one part of it.

Huntingdon, in the public Seal Huntersdune, Leland calls it Venantodunum, the Hill or down of Hunters. This is the chief Town of all this Shire, to which it hath given also the name.

Godmanchester a very great Country Town, and of as great name for Tillage; situate in an open ground, of a light mould, and bending for the Sun. There is not a Town in all England which hath more stout and lusty Husbandmen, or more Ploughs a going: For, they make their boast that they have in former time received the Kings of England, as they passed in their progress this way, with ninescore Ploughs, brought forth in a rustical kind of pomp, for a gallant show.

When King James came first into England, here the Bailiffs of the Town presented him with seventy Teem of Horses, all traced to fair new Ploughs, in show of their Husbandry, of which when his Majesty demanded the reason, he was answered, That it was their ancient Custom, whensoever any King of England passed thorough their Town, so to present him. Besides they added, That they held their Lands by that Tenure, being the Kings Tenants. His Majesty took it well, and bad them use well their Ploughes, being glad he was Land-lord of so many good Husbandmen in one Town.

Saint-Ives of Ivo a Persian Bishop, who (as they write) about the year of Christ 600, travelled thorough England, preached diligently the Word of God, and to this Town, wherein he left this life, left also his name.

Ramsey a wealthy Abbey.

In this little Shire are numbered seventy eight Parishes, four Hundreds, and six Market Towns.

Kent.

THis name Cantium, and the name Kent, was given by reason of the form and situation. The Helvetian Countries were called by the French Cantons. This Country by the old Geographers is called Angulus, an angle, or corner of Land. Or of the British word Cainc, they call their great woody Forest in Staffordshire yet Kanc.

It is the pleasantest Country of England.

This Region extendeth itself in length from West to East fifty miles; and from South to North six and twenty.

The upper part of it, they say is healthful, but not so wealthy: the middle they account both healthful and plentiful: the lower they hold to be wealthy, but not healthy; as which for a great part thereof is very moist.

It is everywhere almost full of Meadows, Pastures and Corn-fields: abounding wonderfully in Apple trees, and Cherry-trees also: the Trees are planted after a direct manner one against another by square, most pleasant to behold.

It hath Villages and Towns exceeding thick and well peopled, safe Rodes and sure Harbours for Ships, with some veins of Iron and Marle: but the Air is somewhat thick, and somewhere foggy, by reason of vapors arising out of the waters.

The Revenues of the Inhabitants are greater both by the fertility of the soil, and also by the neighbourhood of a great City, of a great River, and the main Sea.

This County is enriched with two Cities and Bishops Seas, strengthened with twenty seven Castles, graced with four of the Kings Houses, traded with four and twenty Market Towns, and beautified with many stately Buildings.

Camden in Kent, pag. 324. saith, The Kentishmen had privilege to lead the Van in all Battels for their valor shown against the Danes.

Amongst our old English the Kentishmen had the honor due to them always of being in the Vant-guard, and those of Wiltshire, with Cornwall and Devonshire in the Rear, which they all might challenge by the continual worth of their performance. Mr. Seldens Preface to his Titles of Honor.

The Sueuians had anciently prerogative, In omni expeditione Regis Teutonici, exercitum praecedere, & primi committere. Id. ib.

The meaning of that common Proverb, Kent and Christendom, was, that it was famous as Kent, and famous as Christendom.

This was the first of the Kingdoms of the Heptarchy, and no one County of England had a King of itself, but this.

They are the most civilized people of the Nation.

It is plentiful of Fowl and Fish of all sorts. Fertile Lands, Fruit, Grain, Wood.

When William the Conqueror came in, the Yeomanry of Kent at Suaves-comb, carrying before them in their hands, everyone a great green Bough, representing afar off a moving Wood, yielded them unto William the Conqueror, upon this condition, that they might retain their ancient Customs unviolated, and especially that which they call Gavelkind, that is, Give all kin, by which they are not so bound by Copy-hold, Customarytenures, or Tenant-right, as in other parts of England, but in manner every man is a Free-holder, and hath some part of his own to live upon.

For Lands of this nature are equally divided among the Male children, or if there be no Sons, among the Daughters. By virtue of this also, they are at full age, and enter upon their Inheritance when they come to be fifteen years old: and it is lawful for them to alienate and make it over to any one, either by Gift, or by Sale, without the Lord's consent. By this likewise, the Son (though their Parents were condemned for Felony or Murder) succeeds them nevertheless in such kind of Lands.

After this, William the Conqueror, that he might more firmly assure to himself Kent, which is the very Key of England, placed a Constable over Dover-Castle, the most important Castle of England, and according to the ancient order of the Romans, made him also Lord Warden of the Cinque-Ports. These be they, Hastings, Dover, Hith, Rumney and Sandwich, unto which, Winchelsey and Rie are joined, as principal Ports, and other small Towns as Members. Which because they are bound to serve in the Wars by Sea, enjoy many great immunities: they are free from payment of Subsidies; and from Wardship of their children, as touching the body, they are not sued in any Court, but within their own Towns; and of the Inhabitants therein, such as they call Barons, at the Coronation of Kings and Queens support the Canopies over them, yea, and have a Table by themselves that day spread, and furnished on the Kings right hand. And the Lord Warden himself, who is always one of the Nobility of most approved trust, hath within his Jurisdiction the Authority of Chancellor and Admiral in very many cases, and enjoyeth other rights besides.

Depe-ford a most famous Ship-dock, where the Kings Ships are built, and such as are decayed, repaired: there is also a good Store-house, and an Incorporation ordained for the use of the Navy.

Green-wich, that is, the Green-Creek, for the Creek of a River in the old English tongue was called Wic.

A place of very great name by reason of the Kings House there, and because Queen Elizabeth was here borne.

Barclay the Scot in his Icon animorum, commends Green-wich Tower for one of the best Prospects in Europe, to see London on the one side, the Thames, Ships, and pleasant Meadows on the other:

Eltham a retiring place likewise of the Kings, but unwholesome by reason of the Moor.

Seven-oke, so called (as men say) of seven exceeding great Oaks now cut down. Which commendeth Sir William Sevenok an Alderman of London, who being a foundling and brought up here; and therefore so named, built herein grateful remembrance an Hospital and a School.

Dartford upon the River Darent, a great Mercat Town well frequented, and well watered.

Graves-end, so called, as the Gereves-end; that is, the limit of the Gereve or Reve. A Town as well known as any other in England, for the usual passage by water between it and London. Henry the Eight raised two Block-houses here, and two other opposite on Essex- side.

Tunbridge the Town of Bridges.

Maidstone the Shire Town: a large, fair, sweet and populous Town.

Rochester may glory in her impregnable Fortification by the Navy Royal.

Rochester signifies as much as Castrum in rupe, the Camp or Station on the Rock. All places ending in Chester arise from the ruins of the old Roman Castra. Burt. Comment. on Antoninus Itin. through Brit.

The Island Shepey, or the Isle of Sheep: It feedeth mighty great Floks of Sheep; it is plentiful in Corn, but scarce of Woods, containeth twenty one miles in compass.

Queen-Borough- Castle, King Edward the Third built it, and so named it in honor of his Queen.

Tenham the Parent (as it were) of all the choice fruit Gardens and Orards of Kent, and the most large and delightsome of them. Thirty Parishes thereabout, are replenished with Cherry-gardens, and Orchards beautifully disposed in direct lines.

As for Orchards of Apples and Gardens of Cheries, and those of most delicious and exquisite kinds that can be, no part of the Realm (that I know) hath them either in such quantity and number, or with such art and industry set and planted. Lamb. Perambulat. of Kent.

Amongst these is Feversham very commodiously situate.

Reculver of name for the salt savoury Oisters there dregged, and for a Minster.

The Oisters here do as far surpass those of Whitstaple, as these do the rest of this Shire in savoury saltness. Lamb Perambul of Kent.

Canterbury the chief City of this County, ancient and famous no doubt in the Romans time.

The Archbishop of Canterbury was called Totius Angliae Primas; the Archbishop of York, Angliae Primas; without any further addition.

Anselm (for recompense of the service he had done in oppugning the marriage of Priests, and resisting the King for the investiture of Clerks) was by Pope Urbane endowed with this accession of honor, that he and his Successors, should from thenceforth have place in all General Councils, at the Popes right foot, who then said withal, Includemus hunc in orbe nostro, tanquam alterius orbis Papam.

Canterbury is one of the famousest Cities in England: It hath had a rare Cathedral, though now much ruinated by reason of these later times.

The Cathedral is in the midst of the City, a fair Church, the body of which is within a little as large as Paul's in London; between the body and the Choir a very high Steeple, where hangeth a Bell, called by the name of Bell-Harry, being one of them which King Henry brought out of France. There is also in this Steeple four Spires much like to Sepulchers in London. There is on each side of the great Westgate two other Steeples, the one called Dunston- steeple, the other, Arnold- steeple, in each of which are a very pleasant ring of Bels. In the same Cathedral there was the famousest Window that ever was known in England, for which there was offered (as some say) by the Spanish Ambassador 10000 ^lb , being the whole History of Christ from his Nativity to his Sufferings, but is now battered to pieces. In the Choir of this Cathedral is buried Prince Edward, called the Black Prince, whose Monument is there of brass.

The Dean and Prebends had very fair Houses within the bounds of the said Cathedral, which was like a little City, and so much power formerly, that the Mayors Sword was not suffered to be held up within the Gates of the Deanry. There is underneath this Cathedral a great Congregation of French living in the City; and the Dutch also have a Church in that place which was called the Bishops Palace.

Within the bounds of the said Deanry there is a free School, called, The Kings School, wherein are two Masters, and many Scholars (formerly wearing Gowns) that are there brought up, and many from thence sent to the University. There was one Schoolmaster some years before he died, affirmed, he had had thirty seven Masters of Arts of his bringing up.

There are many Churches in the City and Suburbs.

There are two Markets a week.

The Major and Aldermen are clothed in Scarlet, and they keep the Sessions in the same City. The City is walled, and hath a Mote about it, the Wall being so broad that two or three men may go a-breast, with gallant Watch houses, called Citadels, all built with flint-stone.

There was an old Castle, but it hath been for many years demolished, and some of the Works (or Forts) are yet standing, that were when the Danes came in, one or two of which were made use of when the last rising was there.

There are two Hospitals in the City, one for Ancient people, and the other for Children.

The Isle of Thanet, it is eight miles long, and four broad, a right fertile soil.

Goodwin-Sands a sandy dangerous place.

In the Reign of William the Second, certain Lands in Kent, which did once belong to Godwin Earl of Kent, were overflowed and covered with sand, which to this day do bear the name of Godwins Sands.

See Kilburns Survey of Kent, pag. 262, 263. How Tenterden Steeple was said to be the cause of Goodwin's Sands.

Sandwich one of the Cinque Ports.

Dover. The Town is seated between high Cliffs, more famous for the commodiousnesse of the Haven, (such as it is) and for ready passage into France, then for any elegance or great trade.

There is a most stately Castle like unto a pretty City, fortified strongly with Bulwarks, and many a Tower.

It is the strongest hold of all England, and most commodious for the French.

Sandgate-Castle, and Satlwood, a Castle.

Hith, it signifies an Haven or Harbor, one of the Cinque Ports.

Rumney-marsh a fruitful soil, it feedeth a number of Herds of Cattle sent hither from the furthest parts of Wales, and England to be fatted.

There is at Bilsington a Priory built by John Maunsel.

Weaver in his Funeral Monuments saith, He saw a Pedigree of the Maunsels from Philip de Maunsel, who came in with the Conqueror, until these our times.

Wie. Here was born John Kemp Archbishop of Canterbury, and one of the great Benefactors to the University of Oxford.

He was Bishop of Rochester, Chichester and London, Archbishop of York first, and afterward of Canterbury, twice made Cardinal.

This Province hath three hundred ninety eight Parishes, and sixty four Hundreds.

Lancashire.

IT is a large, populous and well wooded Country.

The County Palatine of Lancaster (famous for the four Henries, the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Kings of England, derived from John Gaunt Duke of Lancaster) is upon the South confined and parted by the River Mersey, from the County Palatine of Chester, the County of Darbyshire bordering upon the East; the large Country of Yorkshire, together with Westmorland and Cumberland, being her kind neighbors upon the North, and the Sea called Mare Hibernicum embracing her upon the West.

Their Kine and Oxen have goodly Heads and fair spread Horns, and are in body well proportionate withal.

Warringdon.

Rochdale a Mercate Town well frequented.

Manchester, a Town of great antiquity, from Main a British word which signifieth a Stone: It is seated upon a stony hill, and beneath the Town, there are most famous quarries of stone.

It far excelleth the Towns lying round about it, for the beautiful show it carrieth, for resort unto it, and for clothing: in regard also of the Mercate place, the fair Church and College.

John Bradford the famous Martyr was born here.

Letherpool or Lirpool, so named of the water spreading itself in manner of a Pool: whence there is a convenient passage over into Ireland, and much frequented, and in that respect more notorious than for any antiquity.

Ocmeskirk a Mercate Town, well known by reason of the Sepulture there, of the Stanleys Earls of Derby, whose chief seat Latham, is hard by, a stately house.

Wiggin a Corporation with a Major and Burgesses.

Bolton upon the River Irwell.

Preston a great fair Town, and well inhabited.

Hornby a fair Castle.

Lancaster the chief Town of this Region.

There are thirty six Parishes in this Shire, but those very populous and spacious, six Hundreds, and fifteen Market Towns.

Leicestershire.

IT hath bordering upon it on the East-side, both Rutlandshire and Lincolnshire; on the North Nottingham and Derbyshire; and Warwickshire on the West; and on the South-side lieth Northampton.

The whole Shire yieldeth great abundance of Peas and Beans more than any other Country, insomuch that there is an old by-word of the same, commonly known to all men, viz. Leicestershire Bean-Belly.

Burtons Descript. of Leicestershire.

The South-East-side of this Shire is exceeding rich ground, yielding great increase of Corn in abundance of all kinds, & affordeth many good and large Sheep-Pastures, breeding a Sheep to that height and goodness; so that (as I have credibly heard) neither Lemster nor Cotswould, can exceed them, if one respect either largeness of the body, fineness of the Wooll, or goodness of the breed. Id. ib.

Leicester standeth upon the River Leire, now called Sore, it signifies the City standing upon the River Leir. It is a Town of great antiquity, and standeth in the center and heart of the Shire, bearing the proportion of an heart, and being in the very midst and heart of the Land.

It is situate in a most rich, delicate and pleasant soil, and delicious air; it wants only a navigable River.

Harborow a Town famous for a Fair of Cattle there kept.

Carleton, all that are born there, whether it be by a peculiar property of the soil, or of the water; or else by some other secret operation of nature, have an ill favored, untunable, and harsh manner of speech, fetching their words with very much ado, deep from out of the throat, with a certain kind of wharling.

Lutterworth a Mercat Town, it hath a fair Church. That famous John Wycliffe was sometimes parson of this Church, a man of a singular, polite, and well wrought wit, most conversant also in the holy Scripture.

Neer to this Town there is a Spring so called, that within a short time turneth straws and sticks into stones.

Cathorp. It came to one Cook, a Merchant of the Staple in the time of Henry the Fourth, whose Daughter and Heir was married to William Harper of Rushall in the County of Stafford, and from thence by descent, to Leigh. It was not many years since belonging to Sir Edward Leigh of Rushall.

Burtons Descript. of Leicestershire.

Hinkley.

Burton-Lazers, so called from a famous Hospital, which was there founded for the use of Leprous people, to whose Master all the lesser houses of that kind were subordinate, as he himself was to the Master of the Lazers at Jerusalem.

Bosworth, an ancient Mercat Town. Here Henry Earl of Richmond with a small power, encountered in pitch-field with King Richard the Third, and overcame and slew him, and then with joyful acclamations was proclaimed King in the very midst of slaughtered bodies round about.

Ashby de la Zouch, a most pleasant Lordship now of the Earls of Huntingdon, but belonging in times past to the noble Family De la Zouch.

Cole-Overton or Orton, famous for Pit-coal. It is so called of the Colemines which are there in great abundance.

Mount-Sorehill, famous only for a Mercat there kept.

Lough-borough a Mercat Town, next Town to Leicester in this Shire: whether a man regard the bigness or building thereof, or the pleasant Woods about it.

Melton-Mowbray a Mercat Town, bearing name of the Mowbrayes sometimes Lord's thereof.

Within this Shire are two hundred Parish Churches, six Hundreds, and twelve Market Towns.

Lincolnshire.

A Very large Country, reaching almost threescore miles in length, and carrying in some places above thirty miles in breadth: passing good for yielding of Corn, and feeding of Cattle; well furnished and set out with a great number of Towns, and watered with many Rivers.

The Diocese here is the largest of England.

After three Bishoprics were taken out of it, it containeth four whole Counties, and parts of two, usually thus expressed, it had under it two B ^s , two H ^s , two L ^s .

The whole Shire is divided into three parts, whereof one is called Holland: a second Kesteuen; and the third Lindsey.

Crowland or Croyland, a raw and muddy Land, as Ingulph the Abbot of this place interprets it, a Town formerly of good note among the Fenne-people. It is seated like unto Venice. In the Moneth of August, they have sometimes spread a Net, and at once drawn three thousand Mallards: and they use to term these Pools or watery Plots of theirs their Corn-fields. In regard of this their taking of Fish and Fowl, they paid yearly in times past to the Abbot three hundred pounds of our money, and after so much to the Crown.

Spalding a fair Town, enclosed round about with Riverets.

Boston a famous Town, standing on both sides of the River Witham, which hath over it a wooden Bridge of a great height, well frequented by means of a commodious Haven unto it: the Market place is fair and large, and the Church maketh a goodly show, as well for the beautiful building as the greatness thereof: the Tower-steeple of it, which riseth up to a mighty height, doth salute passengers and travellers a great way off, and giveth direction also to the Sailers.

In the Coat of Boston for the Corporation there are three Crowns relating to the three Kingdoms, the Crest a Ram lying upon a Wool-sack, the Ram signifying the great Sheep-walks in the fens round about, and the Wool-sack, that it was a Staple-town. The Supporters of the Coat are two Maremaids, signifying, that it is a Port-Town.

Stanford, it was built of rough stone, whence it hath the name.

A Town well peopled, and of great resort, endowed also with sundry immunities, and walled about. It is beautified with seven Parish Churches, or thereabout, and showeth an old Hospital.

Belvoir or Beauvoir-Castle, so called of the fair Prospect, mounted upon the top of a good steep Hill. It belongs to the Earl of Rutland.

The Vale of Bever, a very pleasant place lieth under the Castle.

The Vale of Bevell barren of Wooll, is large and very plentiful of good Corn and Grass, and lieth in three Shires, Leicester, Lincoln, and much in Nottinghamshire. Lelands Itinerary.

Grantham a Town of good resort, adorned with a School built by Richard Fox Bishop of Winchester, and with a fair Church, having a Spire-steeple of a mighty height.

Lincoln. This City is large, well inhabited and frequented, it standeth upon the side of an Hill, and thence hath its name from its situation, or because it hath been a Colony.

There are fourteen Churches, the Minster is a fair one, and in one of the Steeples there is a very great Bell rung by sixteen men, called great Tom of Lincoln.

Camden honourably mentions two learned Bishops of Lincoln, Robert Grosthead, and his Master Thomas Cooper.

Wainfleet, it bred William Wainfleet Bishop of Winchester a worthy Prelate, founder of Magdalene- College in Oxford, a man that singularly well deserved of learning.

Alford a Mercat Town.

Castor an ancient Castle.

Mercate-Rasin, so called of a Mercat there well resorted unto.

Gainsborrow a Market Town standing upon the River of Trent.

Grimsby an old Market Town. Here was Archbishop Whitgift born.

There are in this Shire six hundred and thirty Parishes, thirty and one Hundreds, and thirty Market Towns.

Middlesex.

IT is severed from Buckinghamshire by the River Cole; on the West-side, from Hertfordshire; on the North-side by a known crooked limit; from Essex on the East with the River Lea, from Surrey and Kent on the South by the Thames.

It is a small Shire, in length not twenty miles, in circuit not above seventy miles, yet for the fertility thereof it may compare with any other Shire: for the soil is excellent fat, fertile and full of profit. Nordens Speculum Britaniae.

For Air passing temperate, and for soil fertile, with sumptuous houses, and pretty Towns on all sides pleasantly beautified, and everywhere offereth to the view many things memorable.

Uxbridge full of Inns, it stretcheth out in length.

Harrow-hill, the highest Hill of all this Country, under which Southward there lie for a long way together, exceeding rich and fruitful fields, especially about Heston a small Village, that yieldeth so fine flour for manchet that a long time it hath served for the Kings mouth.

Hampton-Court a Royal Palace of the Kings, a work of admirable magnificence, built out of the ground by Thomas Wolsey Cardinal, in ostentation of his riches. It was enlarged and finished by King Henry the Eighth so amply, as it containeth within it five several inner Courts passing large, environed with very fair buildings wrought right curiously, and goodly to behold.

The neatest pile of all the Kings houses. Godwins Annal.

It is called Hampton-Court, Hampton of the Parish of Hampton, which standeth not far thence: Court in regard of the Majesty and princely beauty. There are two Parks, the one of Deer, the other of Hares. Nordens Speculum Britaniae.

Thistleworth, or Isleworth.

Brentford a fair thorough-fare and frequent Mercat.

Fulham the place of Fowls, where the Bishop of London's house was.

Chelsey a place garnished with fair and stately houses.

London , the Epitome or Breviary of all Britain, the seat of the British Empire, and the King of England's chamber.

King Luds re-edifying Troinovant (first built by Brute) and from thence leaving the name of Caer Lud, afterwards turned (as they say) into London, is not unknown, scarce to any that hathbut looked on Ludgates inner Frontispiece.

Seld. Illustrat. of the eighth Song of Drayt. Polyolb.

Georgius Braun or Bruin in his Theatrum Praecipuarum totius mundi urbium, in three great Volumes in Folio, mentions London in the first place of his first Volume.

Sir Robert Dallington in his view of France; comparing the City of Paris with London, saith, That Paris is the greater, the fairer built, and the better situate: London is the richer, the more populous, the more ancient.

Howell in his Londinopolis makes a parallel of it, with the other great Cities of the world, and so doth Gainsford in his Glory of England, lib. 2. ch. 17.

For the space of above one thousand five hundred fourscore and six years it hath flourished more for the stateliness and magnificence of her goodly buildings, for the large extent of her bounds and jurisdiction, for the Religion and civility of her Inhabitants, for the Wisdom and Honor of her Magistrates, for the profession of Arms, all good Letters and Arts, not to speak of her Traffique and Commerce with all Countries and Ports of the known world, more than any other known City whatsoever throughout all Christendom. Burtons Comment. on Antonin. his Itin. through Britain, pag. 154, 155. See more there, and 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164. See also M. Calamy and M. Hardie his Sermon preached before the Londoners.

Caput atque Metropolis totius insulae Trinovantum sive Londinium sive Londinum, urbs potens & amaena, quam fluviorum Rex Thamesis pererrat. Adolphi a Dans vita Elizabethae.

Tacitus, Ptolemy, and Antonine call it Londinium; Ammianus Lundinum, and Augusta, the Inhabitants London.

It is situate in a rich and fertile soil, abounding with plentiful store of all things, and on the gentle ascent and rising of an Hill, hard by the Thames side, which by his safe and deep channel able to entertain the greatest Ships that be, daily bringeth in so great riches from all parts, that it striveth at this day with the Mart Towns of Christendom for the second prize, and affordeth a most sure and beautiful rode for shipping.

King James being displeased with the City, because she would not lend him such a Sum of Money, he told the Lord Major and Aldermen one day, That he would remove his own Court, with all the Records of the Tower, and the Courts of Westminster-Hall to another place, with further expressions of his Indignation; The Lord Major calmly heard all, and at last answered, Your Majesty hath power to do what you please, and your City of London will obey accordingly; but she humbly desires, that when your Majesty shall remove your Courts, you would be pleased to leave the Thames behind you.

It is for Antiquity honorable.

Ammianus Marcellinus called it in his times, and that was twelve hundred years ago, an old Town: and Cornelius Tacitus in like manner, who lived in Nero his days, 1540. years since, reported it to have been a place very famous for fresh trade, concourse of Merchants, and great store of victuals, and all things necessary.

The Tower of London, a most famous and goodly Citadel, encompassed round about with thick and strong Walls, full of lofty and stately Turrets, fenced with a broad and deep ditch, furnished also with an Armoury or Magazine of warlike Munition, and other buildings besides: so as it resembleth a big Town.

The Tower containeth a Kings Palace, a Kings Prison, a Kings Armoury, a Kings Mint, a Kings Wardrobe, a Kings Artillery. Gainsford.

In the year 1235. Frederick the Emperor sent to Henry the Third three Leopards in token of his Regal Shield of Arms, wherein three Leopards were pictures, since which time those Lions and others have been kept in a part of this Bulwark, now called the Lions Tower, and their Keeper there lodged. Stows Survey of London.

There are twelve chief Companies out of which the Lord Major is to be annually chosen.

Twelve Inns ordained for Students of our Common Law, whereof four being very fair and large, belong to the Judicial Courts, the rest unto the Chancery.

Herein such a number of young Gentlemen do so painfully ply their Books and study the Law, that for frequency of Students it is not inferior either to Angiers, Cane, or Orleans itself, as Sir John Fortescue in his small Treatise of the Laws of England doth witness. The said four principal Houses, are the Inner-Temple, the Middle-Temple, Grayes-Inn, and Lincolns-Inn.

John Leland the famous Antiquary was born in London, Bishop Andrew's, Mr. Gataker, M. Calamy, Sir Thomas More. Chaucer, Edmund Spenser the famous English Poets were born in London.

If any City in the world may at this day be called, as Jerusalem once was, a City of Truth, a holy Mountain, in regard of the Doctrine of truth and holiness preached therein, then certainly London may. Insomuch that Foraigners, Hungarians, Germans, Batavians, others learn our Language, and come over to this City, that they may hear our Preachers, and read our English Divines.

London-Bridge is an admirable Workmanship of stone hewn out of the Quarry, upon nineteen Arches, besides the Draw-bridge, and is furnished on both sides with passing fair houses joining one to another in manner of a street, that for bigness and beauty it may worthily carry away the prize from all the Bridges in Europe.

The whole City is divided into six and twenty Wards: and the Council of the City consisted of as many ancient men, named of their age in our tongue Aldermen, as one would say Senators, who each one have the over-seeing and rule of his several Ward.

The chief Magistrate is the Lord Major and two Sheriffs, whereof the one is called the Kings, the other the Cities Sheriff.

In Henry the Sixths Reign Godfrey Bolein was Lord Major of London (being the Ancestor of two renowned and virtuous Queens of England, Anne second wife to King Henry the Eighth, and Elizabeth their Daughter) through whose great vigilancy and providence, the City stood so well guarded, that the Kings peace was dutifully kept, notwithstanding the great Lord's of both the Factions (Yorkists and Lancastrians) were with so great Troops of followers lodged within, and about the same.

In Edward the Thirds Reign, Henry Picard Major of London, in one day sumptuously feasted four Kings, Edward the Third King of England, John King of France, the King of Cyprus then arrived in England, David King of Scots.

See the courage and piety of a Lord Major in King James his time in Wilsons History of Great-Britain, p. 106.

The Merchants meeting place standing upon Pillars, which the common people call the Burse, and Queen Elizabeth with a solemn Ceremony named, The Royal Exchange, was set up by Sir Thomas Gresham Citizen and Knight; a magnificent work, whether you respect the Model of the building, the resort of Merchants from all Nations thither, or the store of wares there. Which Sir Thomas Gresham, being withal an exceeding great lover of Learning, consecrated a most spacious house his own habitation to the furtherance of Learning, and instituted the Professors of Divinity, Law, Physic, Astronomy, Geometry, and Music, with liberal Salaries and Stipends, to the end that London might be a place, not only furnished with all kind of Traffick, but also with the Liberal Arts and Sciences.

There is also a fair and goodly Library in Zion- College, containing an hundred twenty and one foot in length, and above five and twenty foot in breadth.

In the Reign of King James, Robert Earl of Salisbury, caused to be erected a stately building in the Strand, which upon Tuesday the tenth of April, in the year 1609. was begun to be richly furnished with Wares; and the next day after, the King, the Queen and Prince, with many great Lord's and Ladies came to see, and then the King gave it the name of Britain's Burse.

Westminster was called in times past Thorney, of Thorns, now Westminster of the West situation, and the Monastery.

A City of itself, having its peculiar Magistrates and Privileges.

It is renowned for the Abbey Church, the Hall of Justice, and the Kings Palace.

This Church is famous especially by reason of the Inauguration and Sepulture of the Kings of England.

William the Conqueror and Matilda his wife were first crowned at Westminster, and since them all other Kings and Queens of this Realm have been there crowned. Stows Survey of London.

It is a Church of very fair Workmanship, supported with sundry rows of Marble Pillars, a piece of work that cost fifty years labor in building.

It was founded by King Edward the Confessor.

King Henry the Seventh for the Burial of himself and his children, adjoined thereto in the East end a Chapel of admirable elegancy: Leland calleth it, The wonder of the world, all the curious and exquisite work that can be devised, is there compacted.

It is reported, That the Chapel cost ten thousand pound, or as others say fourteen thousand pound.

There is a Collegiate Church, and famous School: Forty Scholars in their due time are preferred to the Universities.

Here are buried the Prince of English Poets Geoffrey Chaucer: as also he that for pregnant wit, and an excellent gift in Poetry of all English Poets came nearest unto him Edmund Spenser.

Isaac Casaubone.

William Camden Clarenceux King of Arms.

Westminster- Hall is the greatest Hall in England, and the very Praetorium, or Hall of Justice. In this are the Judicial Courts, the Upper-Bench, the Common-Pleas, and the Chancery; and in places near thereabout, the Star-Chamber, the Exchequer, Court of Wards, and Court of the Duchy of Lancaster. In which at certain set times (we call them Terms) Causes are yearly heard and tried.

This Judgment Hall King Richard the Second built out of the ground, as appeareth by his Arms engraven in the stone-work, and many arched beams.

There are a hundred twenty and one Churches, more than Rome itself can show.

Redcliff, so called of the Red cliff, a pretty fine Town and dwelling place of Sailers.

Enfield-Chase a place much renowned for hunting.

In this County without the City of London are reckoned Parishes much about seventy three, with the City, Liberties, and Suburbs an hundred twenty and one.

Monmouthshire.

IT is enclosed on the North-side with the River Munow that separateth it from Herefordshire: on the East-side with Wye running between it and Glocestershire: on the West with the River Remmey, which severeth it from Glamorganshire; and on the South with the Severn.

The East part is full of Grass and Woods: the West is somewhat hilly and stony, yet not unthankful to the Husbandman.

Monmouth the chief Town of the Shire.

Munow and Wye at their confluence do compass it almost round about, and give it the name. On the North-side, where it is not defended with the Rivers, it was fortified with a wall and ditch. In the midst of the Town, hard by the Mercat place standeth a Castle, which (as it is thought) John Baron of Monmouth built. It was the Birth place of Henry the Fifth that triumpher over France, and the second Ornament of the English Nation.

It glorieth also that Geoffrey Ap Arthur, or of Munmouth, Compiler of the British History was born and bred there: a man well skilled in Antiquities, but (as it seemeth) not of antique credit; so many toys and tales he everywhere enterlaceth out of his own brain, as he was charged while he lived.

Chepstow a famous Town, and of good resort, situate upon the side of an Hill, rising from the very River, fortified round about with a Wall of a large circuit, which includes within it both Fields and Orchards. It hath a very spacious Castle situate over the River.

Strighall Castle, it belongs to the Earls of Pembroke.

Sudbroke, the Church whereof called Trinity- Chapel standeth near the Sea, a moor for many miles together.

Abergenny, It is fortified with Walls, and a Castle.

This Shire containeth Parish Churches an hundred twenty seven.

Northfolk or Norfolk.

PEople of the North.

It is a Region large and spacious, and in manner all throughout a plain champion, unless it be where there rise gently some pretty Hills; passing rich, exceeding full of Sheep, and stored with Coneys, replenished likewise with a great number of populous Villages: for besides twenty seven Mercat Towns, it is able to show Villages and Country Towns six hundred twenty and five, watered with divers Rivers and Brooks, and not altogether destitute of Wood.

A man may collect the goodness of the ground by this, that the Inhabitants are of a passing good complexion, to say nothing of their exceeding wily wits, and the same right quick in the insight of our Common Laws: insomuch as it is counted, the only Country for best Lawyers.

One saith, that three hundred and forty nisi prius were tried there at one Assizes.

It is a pleasant Country for sports, Hawking and Hunting.

Thetford the Ford of Thet, of good bigness, yet it hath but few Inhabitants.

Harleston a good Mercat.

Norwich a famous City by reason of the wealth, number of Inhabitants, the resort of people, fair buildings, and many fair Churches (it containeth thirty two Parishes, and forty two Chapels and Churches) the painful industry of the Citizens, and their courtesy unto strangers.

The Market, Cross and Cloister of the Cathedral there, are the fairest in England.

It is pleasantly situate on the side of an Hill, compassed about with strong Walls, (in which are orderly placed many Turrets, and twelve Gates) unless it be on the East-side, where the River is a fence thereto..

It is three miles about. The Arms of the City are the Castle and Lion.

A City whose Antiquity Alexander Nevill hath most learnedly and elegantly set down in Latin.

It hath been long famous for the ancient clothes, or stuff, called Worsted, but hath lately abounded in variety of weaving through the invention and industry of the Dutch and French Flemmings which inhabit there in great numbers.

There is a great House there of the Duke of Norfolks, now the Earl of Arundels, where there are very fair Granaries, and the best Bowling-alley in England.

There is also an Hospital, where an hundred of men and women are maintained.

Matthew Parker was born here.

Yarmouth a very convenient Haven, and as fair a Town, beautifully built, and well fenced, both by the natural strength of the place, and also by the skillful industry of man's art.

It hath but one Church, yet the same is very large, having a high Steeple to adorn it. It is famous for fishing and merchandizing.

There are two long Streets in it, each of them a mile long, one called the Dean-street, the other the Key: There is also another Street, called the Middle-street, and many rows, as they call them after the manner of Holland. There is also a fair Market place.

Holt a Town so called of an Holt or tuft of trees, and for the Mercat well▪ known.

Ailesham a Mercat Town of good resort.

Worsted, where the stuff worsted in so great request amongst our Ancestors was first made; and hence so named, as Dornicks, Camery, Calecut, had in like manner their denominations from the places where they were first invented and made.

Walsingham. This Village is very famous by reason of the best Saffron growing there.

The Family of the Walsinghams Knights, fetched first their name and original from hence: out of which house flourished that Sir Francis Walsingham Secretary to Queen Elizabeth, a man as of deep insight, so also of as rare and painful industry in the weightiest affairs of the Realm.

Lynne peradventure so named of the waters broad spreading. So Lynne imports in the Welch tongue.

This is a large Town encompassed with a deep Trench and Walls, for the most part thereof divided by two small Rivers that have fifteen Bridges, or thereabout over them. It is called old Linne, and Linnum Regis, that is, Kings Linne; yet by reason of the safe Haven which yieldeth most easy access, for the number also of the Merchants there dwelling, and thither resorting, for the fair and the goodly houses, the wealth also of the Townsmen, it is doubtless the principal Town of this Shire, except Norwich only.

Mershland, a little moist Mersh-Country, as the name implieth, a soil standing upon very rich and fertile mould, and breeding abundance of Cattle: insomuch as that in a place commonly called Tilneysmeth there feed much about thirty thousaud Sheep.

In this Province there be Parish Churches about six hundred and sixty.

In Norfolk and Suffolk there are more Parishes than in any other Counties, six hundred and odd in Norfolk, and above five hundred in Suffolk.

Northamptonshire.

THis County is situate in the very middle and heart (as it were) of England. On the East lie Bedford and Huntingdonshires. On the South Buckingham and Oxfordshires: Westward Warwickshire: Northward Rutlandshire, and Lincolnshire, separated from it by Avon the less, and Welland two Rivers.

It is a champion Country, exceeding populous, and passing well furnished with Noblemen’s and Gentlemens Houses, replenished also with Towns and Churches; insomuch as in some places there are twenty, and in others thirty Seeples with Spires or square Towers within view at once.

The soil very fertile both for Tillage and Pasture, yet nothing so well stored with Woods, unless it be in the further and hither sides. But in every place, as elsewhere also in England, it is over-spread, and (as it were) beset with Sheep.

Brakley a place full of Brake or Fern, the Students of Magdalene▪ College in Oxford, use the College there for a retiring place.

Torcester, so called of Towrs. It hath a large Church in it.

Hard by at Eston-Nessont there is a fair and beautiful House belonging to the Knightly Family of the Farmers.

Sacy-Forest stored with Deer, and fit for game.

Avon a general name of all Rivers. This Aufona or Nen is a notable River, which after a sort runneth through the middle part of this Shire.

Dantrey is a through-fare Town, well known at this day by reason of the Inns there.

Fawesly where have dwelt a long time the Knightleys descended from those more ancient Knightleys of Gnowshall in the County of Stafford.

Wedon in the street. It is a pretty through-fare set on a plain ground, and much celebrated by Carriers, because it standeth hard by the famous way there commonly called of the people Watlingstreet. Lelands Itinerary.

Holdenby-House, a fair pattern of stately and magnificent building.

Northampton, so called from its situation upon the North-bank of the River Aufon. The City for Houses is very fair, for circuit of good largeness, and walled about: and from the Wall there is a goodly Prospect every way to a wide and spacious plain Country.

There are seven Parish Churches within the Walls, whereof the Church of Alhallows is principal, standing in the heart of the Town, and is large and well built. Lelands Itinerary.

Mercat Wellingborow.

Kettering a Mercat Town well frequented.

Higham-Ferrers. The excellent ornament of this place was Henry Chichley Archbishop of Canterbury, who built All-Souls College in Oxford, and another here, where he placed secular Clerks and Prebendaries, and withal an Hospital for the poor.

Oundale, there is a fair Church, and a Free-School for the instruction of children, and an Alms-house for poor people.

Fothering-hay Castle, environed on every side with most pleasing medows.

Here Mary Queen of Scots was beheaded.

Upton, so called, because it is highly situate.

Peterborow, because the Monastery was dedicated to Saint Peter. See Monasticon Anglicanum, p. 63.

Baibroke Castle.

Rockingham Castle.

Welledon.

Maxey Castle.

There belong unto this Shire three hundred twenty six Parishes.

Nottinghamshire.

IT is limited Northward with Yorkshire, Westward with Darbyshire, and in some parts with Yorkshire, and on the South-side with Leicestershire. The South and East parts thereof are made more fruitful by the noble and famous River Trent, with other Riverets resorting unto it.

The Forest of Shirewood in the West part stretcheth out a great way. It yieldeth store of wood to maintain fire. It hath a grea • number of Fallow-Deer, yea and Stags with their stately branching heads feeding within it.

Mansfield there is a great Mercat passing well served, and as well frequented. The first Earl of Mansfield in Germany was one of King Arthurs Knights of the Round-Table, born and bred at this Mansfield.

Nottingham (the principal Town, which hath given name unto the Shire) is seated on the side of an Hill. The Town for the natural site thereof is right pleasant: as where, on the one hand lie fair and large Meadows by the Rivers-side; on the other, rise Hills with a gentle and easy ascent: and is plentifully provided of all things beside, necessary for man's life.

It is both a large Town and well built for Timber and Plaister, and standeth stately on a climbing Hill. It hath a fair Market place and street. The Castle standeth on a rocky Hill on the West-side of the Town, and Line Riveret goeth by the roots of it. Lelands Itinerary.

For largeness, for building, for three fair Churches, a passing spacious and beautiful Mercat place, and most strong Castle, it maketh a goodly show.

Newark, as one would say, the new work, of the new Castle. Here King John finished the most wearisome course of his troublesome life.

Little-borough, a little Town indeed, and truly answering to the name.

Workensop a Town well known for the Liquorice that there groweth, and prospereth passing well.

Blithe a famous Mercat Town.

Wollerton a fair House built by Sir Francis Willoughby.

There are in this County an hundred sixty eight Parishes.

Northumberland.

THe Ground itself for the most part is rough, and hard to be manured, seemeth to have hardened the Inhabitants, whom the Scots their neighbors also made more fierce and hardy, while sometimes they keep them exercised in wars, and other whiles in time of peace intermingle their manners among them, so that by these means they are a most warlike Nation, and excellent good Light-horse men. And whereas they addicted themselves wholly to Arms; there is not a man amongst the better sort, that hath not his little Tower or Pile: and so it was divided into a number of Baronies: the Lord's whereof in times past before King Edward the First his days went commonly under the name of Barons, although some of them were of no great living. But a wise and politick devise this was of our Ancestors, to cherish and maintain Martial Prowesse among them in the marches of the Kingdom, if it were nothing else, but with an honorable bare Title.

Toward the Sea and Tine, by diligence and good Husbandry it becometh very fruitful; but else where it is more barren, rough, and (as it were) unmanurable. And in many places Sea-coles are digged up in great plenty to the great gain of the Inhabitants, and commodity of others.

Thrilwale Castle, not great, but strongly built.

Otterburn, where there was a field most valiantly fought between the Scots and English; in which the Victory waved alternatively too and fro three or four times, and fell in the end to the Scottish.

Hexham.

New-Castle upon Tine, the very eye of all the Towns in these parts, ennobled by a notable Haven, which Tine maketh, being of that depth, that it beareth very tall Ships, and so defendeth them, that they can neither easily be tossed with tempests, nor driven upon shallows and shelves. It is situate on the rising of an Hill. It is adorned with four Churches, and fortified with most strong walls, which have seven Gates in them, with many Towers.

It is wealthy, partly by intercourse of traffick with the Germans, and partly by carrying out Sea-coles, wherewith this Country aboundeth, both into foreign Countries, and also into other parts of England.

Hurst. A Sylva nomen accepit, nec aliunde sejactat, quam a minaci Castello. Lel. Comment. in Cygn. Cant.

Tinmouth-Castle, a stately and strong Castle.

Morpeth a famous little Town.

Morpith-Castle, so called, from the death of the Picts in that place.

Withrington an ancient Castle, which gave the name unto the Withringtons Gentlemen of good Birth, and Knights, whose valor in the war hath been from time to time remarkable.

Warkworth a proper fair Castle. There is a Chapel wonderfully built out of a Rock hewn hollow, and wrought without beams, rafters, or any pieces of Timber.

Alnwick or Anwick, a Town ennobled by the victory of the Englishmen over the Scots, and fortified with a goodly Castle. The Earls of Northumberland kept their Court at that Castle.

Emildon. Here was born John Duns, called Scotus, because he was descended of Scottish blood, who being brought up in Merton- College at Oxford, became wonderful well learned in Logic, and in that crabbed and intricate Divinity of those days: yet as one still doubtful and unresolved, he did overcast the truth of Religion with mists of obscurity. And with so profound and admirable subtlety, in a dark and rude style, he wrote many Works, that he deserved the title of the Subtile Doctor: and after his own name erected a new Sect of the Scotists. But he died pitifully, being taken with an Apoplexy, and over-hastily buried for dead; whiles upon return of life, nature (though too late) was about to discuss the violence of the disease: and he, making means in vain by a lamentable noise for help, after he had a long time knocked his head against the Grave-stone, dashed out his own brains, and at last yielded up his vital breath.

Norrham or Northam. There is a Castle upon the top of an high steep Rock, and fortified with a trench.

Berwick the utmost Town in England, and the strongest hold in all Britain. It is well near compassed about with the Sea. and Twede together.

Upon the West parts of Northumberland, the Picts-Wall is; in some of the waste ground the Wall is to be seen of great height, and almost whole.

The Roman Britain's being continually molested by the often incursions of the barbarous people called Picts. The Emperor Severus built a Wall of stone, with great wisdom and industry to strengthen the Northern parts of Britain, against the many inroads of the Picts. At every miles end of this Wall was a Tower, and in the Wall a Pipe of Mettal betwixt the Tower or Sentinel-houses, that so soon as a man had set his mouth to this Pipe, they might hear through all the Sentinels, where the enemy was, and so in a short time giving warning from one end of the Wall to the other.

There are about forty six Parishes in Northumberland.

Oxfordshire.

ON the West-side it joineth upon Glocestershire; on the South, which way it runneth out farthest in breadth, it is dissevered from Barkshire by the River Isis or Tamis; Eastward it bordereth upon Buckinghamshire; and Northward where it endeth pointed, in manner of a Cone, or Pineapple, hath Northamtonshire of one side, and Warwickshire on the other side, confining with it.

It is a fertile Country and plentiful▪ wherein the plains are garnished with Corn-fields and Meadows, the Hills beset with Woods, stored in every place not only with Corn and Fruits, but also with all kind of Game for Hound or Hawk; and well watered with fish-full Rivers.

Hoch-Norton, for the rustical behavior of the Inhabitants in the age afore-going, it grew to be a Proverb, when folk would say of one rudely demeaning himself, and unmannerly after an Hoggish kind, That he was born at Hocknorton.

Woodstock a woody place. Here is one of the Kings Houses full of state and magnificence, built by King Henry the First, who adjoined also thereunto a very large Park compassed round about with a stone wall, which John Ross writeth to have been the first Park in England.

Our Historians report, that King Henry the Second being enamored upon Rosamond Clifford, a Damsel so fair, so comely and well-favored without comparison, that her beauty did put all other women out of the Princes mind; insomuch as she was termed Rosa mundi, the Rose of the world; and to hide her out of the sight of his jealous Juno the Queen, he built a Labyrinth in this House, with many inextricable windings, backward and forward: which notwithstanding is nowhere to be seen at this day.

She was buried at Godstow with this Epitaph in Rhyme.

The Town itself having nothing at all to show, glorieth yet in this, that Jeffrey Chaucer our English Homer was there bred and brought up.

Banbury a fair large Town. It is famous for Cheese and Cakes.

Hanwell, where the Family of Cope hath flourished many years in great and good esteem.

Broughton, the seat of my Lord Say and Sele.

Islip the native place of that King Edward, whom for his religious piety and continency, our Ancestors and the Popes vouchsafed the name of Edward the Confessor.

Oxford a fair and goodly City, whether a man respect the seemly beauty of private houses, or the stately magnificence of public buildings, together with the wholesome site or pleasant prospect thereof. It was from its situation in ancient times, called Bello situm.

Isidis vadum Saxonice Ouseford, & Ousenford, corrupt Oxford. Historia circumfertur adfirmans hanc urbem olim ab amaenitate sitûs Bellositum dictum fuisse: Joannes Rossus hinc edoctus, hoc idem affirmat. Let. Comment. in Cygn. Cant.

Oxoniensis Universitas Schola secunda Ecclesiae, imo Ecclesiae fundamentum. Matthew Paris Hist. Angl. pag. 945.

In the Council of Vienna, it was ordained that there should be erected Schools for the Hebrew, Greek, Arabic and Chaldean Tongues, in the studies of Paris, Oxford, Bonony and Salamanca, as the most famous of all others, to the end that the knowledge of these Tongues might by effectual instruction be thoroughly learned.

Here are 17 Colleges, and 7 Hals.

Dorchester, a Town known in times past to the Romans. Vide Lel. Commentin Cygn. Cant.

Henley upon Tamis, The Inhabitants of it for the most part are watermen.

This County containeth two hundred and eighty Parish Churches.

Richmondshire.

IT takes the name from a Castle.

Most of it lieth very high, with ragged Rocks, and swelling Mountains, whose sloping sides in some places bear good Grass, the bottom and Valleys are not altogether unfruitful. The Hills themselves within, are stored with Lead, Pit-coal and Copper.

Nappa an house built with Turrets, and the chief seat of the Medcalfs, thought to be not long since the greatest Family for multitude of the same name, in all England: For I have heard that Sir Christopher Medcalf Knight, and the top of this kindred being of late High-Sheriff of the Shire, accompanied with three hundred men of the same House all on Horse-back, and in a Livery, met and received the Justices of Assizes, and so brought them to York. So Camden.

Bolton-Castle, a stately Castle.

Richmond, the chief Town of the Country, well peopled and frequented.

Hourby-Castle.

There are contained in this Shire an hundred and four Parishes besides Chapels.

Rutlandshire.

IT is the least County of all England. Lying in form almost round like a circle, it is in compass so far about, as a Light-horsman will ride in one day.

It was called Rutland, as one would say Red-land, the Earth in this Shire is everywhere red, and so red that even the Sheeps fleeces are thereby coloured red: the English-Saxons called Red in their tongue Roet and Rud.

Uppingham a place upon an high ascent, whence that name was imposed, a well frequented Mercat Town.

The Vale of Catmose a field full of Woods.

Okeham is in the midst of it, so called from Oaks.

This small Shire hath Parish Churches forty eight.

Shropshire.

ON the East-side it hath Staffordshire; on the West Mongomeryshire and Denbighshire; on the South-side Worcester, Hereford and Radnorshires, and on the North Cheshire.

It is replenished with Towns and Castles standing thick on every side, in regard of repelling and repressing the Welshmen in the Marches bordering hereupon. Whence our Ancestors by an ancient word, named the Confines of this Shire toward Wales, the Marches, because they were Bounds and Limits between the Welsh and English; and divers Noblemen in this Tract were called Barons of the March, and Lord's Marchers, who had everyone in their Territory a certain peculiar jurisdiction, and in their own Courts ministered Law unto the Inhabitants, with sundry Privileges and Immunities.

Bishops-Castle, so called, because it belonged to the Bishops of Hereford, whose Diocese and Jurisdiction was large in this Shire.

Clun-Castle, so called from the River Clun.

Ludlow, it standeth upon an Hill, a Town more fair than ancient.

Bridgnorth, so called of Burgh or Burrough, and Morfe (heretofore a Forest) adjoining. A Town fortified with Walls, a Ditch, a stately Castle, and the Severn: seated also upon a Rock, out of which the ways leading into the upper part of the Town were wrought out.

Wenlock, now known for the Lime.

Huckstow-Forest.

Routon-Castle.

Tong-Castle, there is a Bell for the bigness of it very famous in all those parts adjoining.

Draiton.

Wem.

Morton-Corbet, a Castle of the Corbets. Shrewsbury the famousest Town of this Shire, it standeth most pleasantly.

It is seated upon an Hill of a reddish Earth, and Severn, having two very fair Bridges upon it. Neither is it strengthened only by nature, but fortified also by Art; it is like a Horse-shoe in the opening place. There is a strong stately Castle.

It is a fair and goodly City well frequented and traded, full of good merchandize, and by reason of the Citizens painful diligence, with Cloth making, and Traffique with Welshmen, rich and wealthy. For, hither (almost) all the Commodities of Wales do conflow (as it were) to a common Mart of both Nations.

It is inhabited both with Welsh and English, speaking both Languages.

One of the rarities there is their Cakes, such as cannot be made so well in any other place of England.

Shrawerden Castle.

Knocking-Castle.

Oswestre, a little Town enclosed with a Ditch and a Wall, fortified also with a pretty Castle, in it there is great Traffick of Welsh Cottons.

Whittington-Castle.

Whit-Church, or Album Monasterium.

Ellesmer a little Territory, but rich and fruitful.

In this Region there are about an hundred and seventy Parishes.

It had the great Lawyer, Ployden; the rich Squire Thin; the great Hebrician, Broughton; the strong man, the Baron of Burford; the witty Jester, Tarleton.

Somersetshire.

THis County is very large and wealthy: The North-side whereof the Severn Sea beateth upon: The West part confineth with Denshire: in the South it bordereth first upon Devonshire, and then upon Dorsetshire: Eastward upon Wiltshire: and North-East upon part of Glocestershire.

The soil very rich, yielding for the most part thereof passing great plenty both of Pasture and Corn, and yet not without stony Hills: exceeding populous, and full of Inhabitants: furnished also with commodious Havens, and Ports sufficiently.

As it is soul, so it is fruitful, which makes them comfort themselves with this Proverb, What is worst for the Rider is best for the Abider.

This name grew from Somerton, a famous Town in ancient time, and of all others in the Shire most frequented.

Dunster-Castle is enclosed round about with Hills, saving to the Seaward, built by the Mohuns, a right noble and mighty Family, which flourished from the very Conquerors days, (under whose Reign that Castle was built) unto the time of King Richard the Second.

Cheder, famous for five things:

1. Cheese. 2. Teazers. 3. Garlic. 4. Mills: there is a spring whereby many Mils are turned about. 5. Cliffs, a great Rock cleft asunder.

Evel a great Market Town.

West-Camalet and East-Camalet, or Queens-Camalet two Towns.

Winecaunton a great Market.

Ilchester, there is a Market there kept.

Montacute, fo termed, because the Hill riseth up by little and little to a sharp point. It hath given name to that right honorable Family of Montacute.

Longport a Market Town well frequented.

Wellington a pretty Market Town. Sir John Popham dwelt here, a man of an ancient worshipful House, and withal a most upright Justicer, and of singular industry.

Taunton or Thonton from the River Thone. A very fine and proper Town, and most pleasantly seated, one of the eyes of the Shire. The Country here most delectable on every side with green medows; flourishing with pleasant Gardens and Orchards, and replenished with fair Manor-houses, wonderfully contenteth the eyes of the beholders.

Athelney a pretty Island, a place famous for King Alfred's shrouding himself therein, when the Danes had brought all into broil.

Somerton the Shire Town in times past. There is kept a Fair of Oxen, and other Beasts from Palm-Sunday until the midst of June, with much resort of people; the Countrymen all thereabout are very great Grasiers, Breeders, and Feeders of Cattle.

Bridgewater a great and populous Town; King Henry the Eighth adorned it with an Earldom.

Bruiton.

The Glassy Isle, so called, Propter amnem scilicet quasi vitrei coloris in marisco circumfluentem▪ Monasticon Anglicanum. Vide plura ibid.

Here flourished the famous Abbey of Glastenbury, the beginning whereof is very ancient, fetched even from that Joseph of Arimathaea, who enterred the body of Jesus Christ, and whom Philip the Apostle of the Gauls, sent into Britain for to preach Christ.

See Dees British Monarchy.

Ochy hole a Cave, or Den far within the ground, wherein are to be seen certain Pits and Riverets.

Congerbury, so named of one Congar, a man of singular holiness.

This County is famoused by three Cities, Bath, Wells and Bristow.

Wells a little City with an Episcopal See, so called of the Springs or Wells, which boil up there.

For multitude of Inhabitants, for fair and stately Buildings, it may well and truly challenge the preeminence of all this Province. It hath a goodly Church and College. The Church itself all throughout is very beautiful, but the Frontispiece thereof in the Westend, is a most excellent and goodly piece of Work indeed, for it ariseth up still from the foot to the top all of Imagery, in curious and antique wise wrought of stone carved, and embowed right artificially, and the Cloisters adjoining very fair and spacious.

A gorgeous Palace of the Bishops, built in manner of a Castle, fortified with Walls, and a Mote standeth hard by, Southward; and on the other side fair houses of the Prebendaries.

In the Reign of Henry the First Johannes de Villula of Tours in France, being elected Bishop, translated his See to Bath, since which time the two Sees growing into one, the Bishop beareth the title of both, so that he is called, The Bishop of Bath and Wells.

Selwood, a Wood thick of Trees, whereof the Country adjoining is called Selwoodshire.

Bathe of the hot Bathes in times past, callid in Latin Aquae calidae.

It is seated low in a plain, environed round about with Hills almost all of one height, out of which certain rilles of fresh River waters continually descend into the City, to the great commodity of the Citizens. Within the City itself there bubble and boil up three Springs of hot water, of a Blewish or Sea-color, thin vapors, and rising up from thence a kind of strong sent withal, by reason that the water is drilled and strained through veins of Brimstone, and a clammy kind of earth, called Bitumen, which Springs are very medicinal, and of great virtue to cure bodies over-charged and benumbed with corrupt humors. For, by their heat they procure sweat, and subdue the rebellious stubbornness of the said humors.

From eight of the clock in the forenoon unto three in the afternoon, they are in a manner scalding hot, and do work: and being thus troubled, cast up from the bottom certain filth; during which time they are shut: neither may anybody go into them, until by their fluces they cleanse themselves, and rid away that filthiness.

Of these three the Cross-Bath (so called of a Cross standing upright in old time in the midst of it) is of a very mild and temperate warmth; and hath twelve seats of stone about the brink or border thereof, and is enclosed within a wall.

The second, distant from this not fully two hundred foot, is much hotter; whence it is termed hot Bath. These two are in the midst of a street on the West-side of the City.

The third, which is the greatest, and after a sort in the very bosom and heart of the City, is called, the Kings Bath, near unto the Cathedral Church, walled also round about, and fitted with two and thirty seats of arched work; wherein men and women may sit apart, who when they enter in put upon their bodies linen garments, and have their guides.

This City hath flourished as well by clothing, as by reason of usual concourse thither for health twice every year.

Bristow. This City standing partly in Somerset, and partly in Glocestershires, is not to be reputed belonging to this or that, having Magistrates of its own, and being of itself entire, and a County incorporate.

It is situate somewhat high between Avon, and the little River Frome, sufficiently defended with Rivers and Forfications together. So fair to behold by reason of buildings, as well public as private, that it is fully correspondent to the name of Brightstow. With common Sews or Sinks (they call them Goutes) so made to run under the ground, for the conveyance and washing away of all filth, that for cleanliness and wholsomnesse a man would not desire more: whereupon there is no use here of carts: so well furnished with all things necessary for man's life, so populous, and well inhabited withal, that next after London and York, it may of all Cities in England justly challenge the chief place.

For the mutual intercourse of traffick and the commodious Haven, which admitteth in Ships under sail into the very bosom of the City, hath drawn people of many countries thither.

The Citizens themselves are rich Merchants, and traffick all over Europe, yea, and make Voyages at Sea so far as into the most remote parts of America.

The most beautiful Church there is S. Mary's of Radcliff without the Walls, into which there is a stately ascent upon many stairs; so large withal, so finely and curiously wrought, with an arched roof over head of stone artificially embowed, a steeple also of an exceeding height, that it surpasseth in many degrees all the Parish-churches in England.

There is hard by, another Church also, which they call the Temple, the Tower whereof, when the Bell rings, shaketh to and fro, so as it hath cloven and divided itself from the rest of the building, and made such a chink from the bottom to the top, as that it gapeth the breadth of three fingers, and both shutteth and openeth whensoever the Bell is rung.

S. Vincents Rock, so full of Diamonds, that a man may fill whole strikes or bushels of them. They are not so much set by, because they are plenteous: in bright and transparent color they match the Indian- Diamonds, if they pass them not: in hardness only they are inferior to them.

In this County are numbered three hundred eighty five Parishes.

Staffordshire.

IT hath on the East Warwickshire and Darbyshire; on the South-side Worcestershire; and Westward Shropshire bordering upon it; reacheth from South to North in form of a Lozeng, broader in the midst, and growing narrower at ends. The North part is full of Hills, and so less fruitful: the middle being watered with the River Trent is most plentiful, clad with woods and embrodered gallantly with Corn-fields and Meadows: as is the South port likewise, which hath Coals also digged out of the earth, and Mines of Iron.

There are these Rivers in Staffordshire, Sow which runneth by Stafford, Dove, Peru a little River by Pencridge, Charnet, Blith, Tame. The River Trent ariseth in Colonel Boyers Park, and Dove passeth thorough part of it; Severn passeth thorough some part of the Shire.

Stourton Castle stands upon the River Stour in the very confines with Worcestershire.

Dudley-Castle did stand upon an Hill, named so of one Dudo, or Dodo ah English Saxon. It is now demolished.

Under this lieth Pensneth-Chace, wherein are many Cole-pits.

Pateshall a seat of the Astleys descended from honorable Progenitors.

Wrotestley, the habitation of Sir Walter Wrotesly whose Father was Sir Hugh Wrotesly. In the Parlour window among divers of the Arms of the Ancestors of that Family there is one Sir Hugh Wrotesley mentioned, who for his approved valor was made by King Edward the Third Knight of the Garter at the first Institution, and so accounted one of the Founders of the said honorable Order.

Chellington a fair House and Manor of the ancient Family of the Giffards.

Brewood a Mercat Town.

Weston.

Theoten-Hall, by interpretation, the habitation of Heathens or Pagans, at this day Tetnal.

Ulfrunes-Hampton, so called of Wulfruna a most devout woman, who enriched the Town (called before simply Hampton) with a religious House, it is now corruptly called Wulver Hampton.

For an In-land Town, there is a famous Market for Cattle and Corn.

Weddsborow, there is Sea-coal.

Walsal, a little Mercat Town, a mile by North from Weddesbury.

There are many Smiths, Peuterers and Bit-makers. There is a Park of that name half a mile from the Town.

There are many Lime-pits near the Town.

Draiton-Basset, the seat of the Bassets.

Tamworth, a Town so placed in the confines of the two Shires, that the one part which belonged sometime to the Mirmions, is counted of Warwickshire; the other which pertained to the Hastings of Staffordshire.

Here is a fair Castle.

At Falkesley-Bridge that Roman Highway Watlingstreet, entereth into this Shire, and cutting it through (as it were by a strait line) goeth Westward into Shropshire.

Wall, so called of the relics of an old Wall there remaining, and taking up much about two acres of ground.

Penck-ridge, so named of the River Penck, famous for an Horse-Fair, which the Lord of the place Hugh Blunt obtained of King Edward the Second.

New-Castle under Lime.

Trentham.

Stone a Mercat Town, which having the beginning in the Saxons time, took the name of the Stones, which our Ancestors after a solemn sort had cast on a heap, to notify the place where Wolpher the Heathenish King of the Mercians, most cruelly slew his two Sons Wulfald and Rufin, because they had taken upon them the profession of Christianity.

Sandon.

Cankwood, or Forest.

Gerards-Bromley an House.

Chebsey.

Eccleshall.

Raunton a Monastery.

Stafford, near unto which there was a Castle upon an Hill, now demolisht.

It is the head Town of the whole Shire.

Ticks-Hall, the dwelling place of the Astons, a Family which for Antiquity, Kinred and Alliance, is in these parts of great name.

Chartley, there is a Castle.

Beaudesert, the House of the Lord Paget.

Lichfield. This City is low seated, of good largeness, and fair withal, divided into two parts with a shallow pool of clear water: which parts notwithstanding join in one by the means of two Bridges or Causeys made over, that have their sluices, to let out the water.

It was beautified with a very goodly Cathedral Church, which being round about compassed with a fair Wall Castle-like, and garnished besides with fair Houses of Prebendaries, and with the Bishops Palace also, mounting upon high with three Pyramids or Spires of stone, making an elegant show, and for elegant and proportional building it did yield to few Cathedral Churches, but is now demolished.

Burton upon Trent, a famous Market, the Bridge there hath 38 Arches.

Blithfield a fair House of the ancient Family of the Bagots.

Needwood-Forest was very large.

Moorland, so called, because it riseth higher into hills and mountains, and is less fruitful, which kind of places we call Moors.

Leek a well known Market Town.

Wotton, a little Country Village there lying under Weverhill.

This fond Rime the neighbor Inhabitants use of it. Yet in so hard a soil it breedeth and feedeth beasts of large bulk, and fair spread.

The River Dow or Dove doth swiftly run along the most part of the East-side of this County, and separateth it from Darbyshire, if it chance to swell above the banks, and overflow the Meadows in April, it maketh them so fruitful that the Inhabitants use commonly to chant this joyful note;

Utcester, it is situate upon the side of an Hill with a gentle ascent: a Town more rich in gay flowring Meadows, and in Cattle, than fair built.

Tutbury-Castle in times past large and stately.

There are accounted an hundred and thirty Parishes in this Shire.

Suffolk.

IT hath on the West-side Cambridgeshire; on the South the River Stour, which divideth it from Essex; on the East-side the German- Sea, and on the North two little Rivers, ouse the least, and Waveney, which flowing out (as it were) of the same fountain, run divers ways, and sever it apart from Norfolk.

It was famous for worthy Ministers in the very beginning of Reformation. In the entrance of Queen Elizabeth to the Crown, it was moved at the Council-Table, Whether it was not dangerous (for some Politick respects) to alter the Religion before established? Sir Nicholas Bacon (who was of the County of Suffolk) demanded, Which was the true Religion according to Scripture, the Protestant or Popish? it being answered, the Protestant, Leave that to God then (said he) to defend it.

It is a large Country and full of Havens, of a fat and fertile soil (unless it be Eastward) being compounded of Clay and Marle, by means whereof there are everywhere most rich and goodly Corn-fields, with Pastures as battable for grazing and feeding of Cattle.

Great store of Cheeses are there made, which to the great commodity of the Inhabitants are vented into all parts of England: nay into Germany, France and Spain also.

There are also Woods and Parks.

New-Market a Town lately built, as the very name imports.

Here lieth out a great way round about, a large plain, named of this Town, New-Market-Heath, consisting of a sandy and barren ground, yet green withal.

There are great Ditches, called, The Devils Ditches.

St. Edmunds-Bury, or Bury, a renowned Town.

A place for situation and wholsomenesse of air so excellent, that Camden saith, Sol non vidit urbem situ elegantiorem. Many of the Gentry live there.

There are two Churches in one Churchyard, where there are Lectures several days in the week.

Here was born Richardus de Bury Bishop of Durham, the Governor of Edward the Third when young, and famous especially for a work which he entitled Philobiblos, in the Preface of which he confesseth, Ecstatico quodam librorum amore potenter se abreptum. He was well acquainted with Petrark the Italian, and other learned men of that age. Bradwardine Archbishop of Canterbury, and Richard Fitzralph, Armachanus, Walter Burleigh, Robert Halcot, and other most famous men of that age were his Chaplains.

Lidgate a small Village, yet in this respect not to be passed over in silence, because it brought into the world John Lidgate the Monk, whose wit may seem to have been framed and shapen to the very Muses themselves: so brightly reshine in his English Verses, all the pleasant graces and elegancies of speech, according to that age.

Clare a noble Village, it gave name to the right noble Family of the Clares, Earls of Clare.

Sudbury, that is, the South-Burgh, it is populous and wealthy by reason of clothing there.

Mont-chensie.

Nettlested.

Offton the Town of Off a King of the Mercians.

Lancham a pretty Mercat.

Hadley a Town of good note for making of clothes.

Higham.

Bentley.

Walpet, that is, the Wolves-pit, a Mercat Town.

Stow and Needham two little Mercat Towns.

Ipswich a fair Town resembling a City, situate in a ground somewhat low: which is the Eye of this Shire, as having an Haven commodious enough; fenced in times past with a trench and rampire, of good trade and stored with wares, well peopled and full of Inhabitants, adorned with twelve Churches, and with goodly large and stately Edifices, plentiful in shipping.

Mendlesham, there is a Market and Fair.

Ufford the seat in times past of Robert de Ufford Earl of Suffolk.

The roof of this Church and other parts of the Choir are curiously engraven with sundry kinds of Works and Pictures, all burnisht and guilt with gold.

Weevers Ancient Funer. Mon.

Rendelisham, that is, Rendils Mansion place.

Woodbridge a little Town beautified with fair houses.

Framlingham-Castle, a very fair and beautiful Castle, fortified with Bank, Ditch, and Walls of great thickness, wherein are thirteen Towers; and inwardly furnished with buildings right commodious and necessary.

Parrham a little Town; Barons Willoughbey of Parrham.

Oreford.

Aldburgh, that is, the old Burgh, or the Burgh upon the River Ald. An Harbor very commodious for Sailers and Fishermen, and thereby well frequented.

Dunwich, it lieth now desolate.

Blithborow a small Town, it hath a Mercat and a Fair.

Southwold a Town well frequented through the benefit of an Haven.

Wingfield, it hath given name to an ancient and renowned Family.

Dunnington the habitation of the ancient Family of the Rousses.

Heuningham the residence of a Family of that name of very great Antiquity.

Halesworth a Mercat Town.

Hoxon, ennobled by reason of King Edmunds Martyrdom.

Brome, there dwelt a long time the Family of Cornwalleis of Knights degree: of whom Sir John Cornwalleis was Steward of Edward the Sixth his household while he was Prince; and his Son Sir Thomas, for his wisdom and faithfulness became one of • he Privy-Council to Queen Mary, and Controller of her Royal House.

Eaye an Island.

Beddingfield, it gave the name to an ancient and worshipful Family.

Flixton, or Felixton, so named of Felix the first Bishop of these parts.

Mettingham, where there is a Castle.

Luthingland of Luthing the Lake.

Comerley Town.

Burgh-Castle, now ruined.

Sommerly-Hall, my Lady Wentworths House, famous for fair Walks and Ponds. There is one long Walk encompassed with Fir-trees on each side.

The Parishes in this County amount to the number of five hundred seventy five.

Surrey.

FRom the West it boundeth partly upon Barkshire and Hantshire; from the South upon Sussex; and from the East on Kent; toward the North it is watered with the River Tames, and by it divided from Middlesex.

It is a Country not very large, yet wealthy enough, where it beareth upon Thames, and lieth as a plain and champion Country. It is likened by some unto a course freeze garment with a green gard, or to a clothe of great spinning, and thin woven, with a green list about it, because the inner part is but barren, the outward edge or skirt more fertile.

Chertsey a kind of Island.

Fernham, so named of much Fern growing in that place.

Guildford a Mercat Town well frequented, and full of fair Inns.

Ockam, where that great Philosopher and Father of the nominals William de Ockham was born, and whereof he took that name, as of the next Village Ripley, George Ripley a ring-leader of our Alchemists.

Oatlands a fair house of the Kings: near unto which Caesar passed over Tames into the Borders of Cassivelaunus. For this was the only place where a man might in times past go over the Tames on foot, and that hardly too, which the Britain's themselves improvidently bewrayed unto Caesar.

Ockley, so named of Oaks.

Rhiegate, the Rivers course.

Holm-Castle.

Beckworth-Castle.

Effingham.

Kingstone a very good Mercat Town for the bigness, and well frequented. It had beginning from a little Town more ancient then it of the same name. In which, when England was almost ruinated by the Danish Wars, Aethelstan, Edwin and Æthelred were crowned Kings upon an open stage in the Market place, whence it was called Kingston. Leland. Comment. in Cygn. Cant. Camd. Brit.

Shene, so called of its shining brightness, now Richmond, wherein the most mighty Prince King Edward the Third, when he had lived sufficiently both to glory and nature, died.

King Henry the Seventh built it, and gave it that name of Richmond, of the Title he bare, being Earl of Richmond, before he obtained the Crown of England. He had scarce finished this new work, when in this place he yielded unto Nature, and ended his Life. Here Queen Elizabeth also died.

None-such a retiring place of the Princes, and surpasseth all other houses round about: which King Henry the Eighth, in a very healthful place called Cuddington before, selected for his own delight and ease, and built with so great sumptuousness and rare workmanship, that it aspireth to the very top of ostentation for show: so as a man may think, that all the skill of Architecture is in this one piece of work bestowed, and heaped up together. So many Statues and lively Images there were in every place, so many wonders of absolute Workmanship, and Works seeming to contend with Roman Antiquities, that most worthily it might have this name that it hath of None-such.

The House was environed about with Parks full of Deer, it had such dainty and delicate Orchards, such Groves adorned with curious Arbours, so pretty quarters, Beds and Alleys, such Walks so shadowed with Trees, that it was exceeding pleasant.

Wandle a clear Riveret full of the best Trouts.

Woodcot a pretty Town.

Croidon, there was the Archbishops house of Canterbury: There are Charcoals.

Bedington a fair house, beautified with a delightful show of pleasant Gardens and Orchards.

Addington.

Aguilon situate in a most fertile soil.

Merton. It is famous for the Statute of Merton, enacted here in the 21. of King Henry the Third, and also for Walter de Merton Founder of Merton College in Oxford, borne and bred here.

Wimbledon, there is a goodly House, beautiful for building, and delectable for fair profpect, and right pleasant Gardens, built in the year 1588. when the Spanish Armado made sail upon the coast of England.

Wandlesworth.

Putney. Thomas Cromwell Earl of Essex in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth, was born there.

Batersey.

Lambeth. Canutus the Hardy King of England there amidst his cups yielded up his vital breath.

It was the Palace of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Southwark, the Burrough of Southwork, the most famous Mercat Town and place of Trade in all this Shire. It is large and populous. In the Reign of King Edward the Sixth, it was annexed to the City of London, and is at this day taken for a member (as it were) of it.

Sterborow-Castle.

This County hath in it an hundred and forty Parish Churches.

Sussex.

THe Region of the South Saxons, a word compounded of the site thereof Southward, and of the Saxons, who in their Heptarchy placed here the second Kingdom. It is above threescore miles long, and somewhat above twenty miles broad.

It lieth upon the British Ocean all Southward with a strait shore (as it were) far more in length than breadth: How be it it hath few harbours, by reason that the Sea is dangerous for shelves, and therefore rough and troublous, the shore also itself full of Rocks.

The Sea-coast of this Country, hath green Hills on it, mounting to a greater height, called the Downs, which because they stand upon a fat chalk, or kind of Marle, yieldeth corn abundantly.

The middle tract, garnished with Meadows, Pastures, Corn-fields and Groves, maketh a very lovely show.

The hithermore and northern side thereof is shaded most pleasantly with Woods, like as in times past the whole Country throughout, which by reason of the Woods was hardly passable. The Wood Andradswald taking the name of Anderida the City next adjoining, took up in this quarter, a hundred and twenty miles in length, and thirty in breadth.

It is full of Mines in sundry places, where for the making and fining whereof there be Furnaces on every side, and a huge deal of Wood is yearly spent, to which purpose divers Brooks in many places are brought to run in one channel, and sundry Meadows turned into Pools and Waters, that they might be of power sufficient to drive Hammer-mils, which beating upon the iron, resound all over the places adjoining.

Boseham a place environed round about with Woods, and the Sea together.

Chichester lieth in a champion plain▪ A City large enough, and walled about, built by Cissa a Saxon the second King of this Province, and of him so named. It hath four Gates opening to the four Quarters of the World: from whence the streets lead directly, and cross themselves in the midst, where the Market is kept; a fair stone Market place, supported with Pillars round about.

The Church itself is not great, but very fair and neat, having a Spire-steeple of stone, rising up passing high.

Selsey the Isle of Sea-Calves, now famous for good Cockles, and full Lobsters.

Amberley, there is a Castle.

Arundel.

Petworth a house of my Lord of Northumberland, where there is a very fair stable.

Horseham an indifferent Market.

Michel-grove, that is, Great-Grove.

Old Shoreham a Village.

Stening a great Market, and at certain set days much frequented.

Louis, this for frequency of people and greatness, is reputed one of the chiefest Towns of the County, it is seated upon a rising almost on every side. There are six Churches in the Town.

High-hills, called the Downs, which for rich fertility giveth place to few valleys and plains.

Pemsey or Peremsey Marsh of Pevensey, the next Town adjoining,

Herst-Mounceaux.

Ashburnham, it gave the name to a Family of great Antiquity.

Hastings. It is accounted the first of the Cinque-Ports.

Winchelsey a fair Town.

Rhie, a very commodious Haven: There is an usual passage from hence into Normandy.

Echingham.

Bodiam a Castle belonging to the ancient Family of the Leaknors.

Ashdown-Forest, under which standeth Buckhurst, the Habitation of the ancient House of the Sackviles.

Waterdown-Forest.

This Province containeth Parishes three hundred and twelve.

Warwickshire.

IT is bounded on the East-side with Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, and the Watlingstreet way: on the South with Oxfordshire and Glocestershire; on the West for the greatest part with Worcestorshire; and on the North-side with Staffordshire.

It is divided into a plain champion, and a woody Country: which parts the River Avon, running crookedly from North-East to South-West, doth after a sort sever one from the other.

Edge-hill.

There is the Vale of the Red-horse, so termed from a shape of a Horse cut out in a red Hill by the Country people hard by.

Essenhull. It takes its name from the situation, standing Eastward from Monks-Kirby, and upon a rising ground.

Pillerton.

Shipston a Mercat of Sheep in times past.

Kinton a Mercat of Kine.

Compton in the Hole, because it lieth hidden under the Hills, thence a noble Family hath taken the name.

Shugbury, stones resembling little stars are there found, which the Lord's of the place surnamed thereupon, have long shown in their Coat-armor.

Southam a Mercate Town well known.

Leamington a Mercat Town, so called of Leame a small Brook that wandereth through this part of the Shire.

Chesterton the Habitation of that ancient Family of the Peitoes.

Rugby a Mercat chiefly for Butchers.

Newenham Regis, Kings Newenham, to distinguish it from Newenham Paddox, the King was anciently possessed of it. There are wholesome Wells.

Upton, so called, because it stands upon an ascent.

Bagginton, which belonged sometime to the Bagots.

Stoneley a stony place.

Warwick is the principal Town of the whole Shire. It standeth over the River Avon upon a steep and high Rock, and all the Passages into it are wrought out of the very stone.

It stands in a dry and fertile soil, having the benefit of rich and pleasant Meadows on the South part, with the lofty Groves and spacious thickets of the woodland on the North.

It hath a very strong Castle, the seat in times past of the Earls of Warwick, The Town itself is adorned with fair houses.

Blacklow-Hill, here Piers de Gaveston was by the Nobles of the Kingdom beheaded.

Charl-Cot the habitation of the renowned ancient Family of the Lucies Knights, which place long ago descended hereditarily to them from the Charlcots.

Stratford upon Avon a little Mercate Town; there is a stone Bridge supported with fourteen Arches.

Bitford a Mercat Town.

Studly-Castle.

Coughton the principal mansion house of the Throckmortons.

Beauchamps-Court, so named of Baron Beauchamp of Powick.

Henley a pretty Mercat Town.

Aulcester a small Mercat of Wares and trade, but much frequented for the Corn-Fair there holden.

Wroxhall, there is a little Priory.

Killingworth, there is a most ample, beautiful and strong Castle, encompassed all about with Parks.

Bremicham or Bremingham full of Inhabitants, and resounding with Hammers and Anvils, for the most of them are Smiths. The lower part thereof standeth very waterish, the upper riseth with fair buildings.

Sutton-Coldfield. It standeth in a wooddy, and on a churlish hard soil, but in an excellent air, and full of all manner of pleasures. There is a Grammar-School.

Coleshull, so called from the River Cole.

Maxstock-Castle is near to it.

Meriden. This place situated upon London- road, hath from some Inns and Ale-houses built for the receipt of Passengers, grown of late times to the credit of a Village.

Coventry. It is a City very commodiously seated, large, sweet and neat, fortified with a strong Wall, and set out with right goodly houses: among which there rise up on high two Churches of rare workmanship, standing one hard by the other, and matched (as it were) as concurrents, the one consecrated to the Holy Trinity, the other to Saint Michael. One and the self same Bishop carried the name both of Coventry and Lichfield.

Leofrick the first Lord of this City being much offended and angry with the Citizens, oppressed them with most heavy Tributes, which he would remit upon no other condition, at the earnest suit of his Wife Godina, unless she would herself ride on horse-back naked through the greatest and most inhabited street of the City: which she did indeed, and was so covered with her fair long Hair, that (if we may believe the common sort) she was seen of nobody, and thus she did set free her Citizens of Coventry from many payments forever.

At Gosford- Gate there hangeth to be seen a mighty great Shield-bone of a wild Bore, which Guy of Warwick slew in hunting, when he had turned up with his snout a great pit or pond, which is now called Swansewell, but Swineswell in times past.

Ausley-Castle.

Brand.

Caledon.

Whitmore-Park. Though it be for the most part woody, yet is in some places so moorish, as that the ground beareth nothing but moss; which being in one place white, gave occasion (doubtless) for its name.

Dugd. Antiq. of Warwickshire.

Willowby, because of the Willows.

Cester-over, near unto which the High port-way Watlingstreet.

Nun-Eaton, or Eaton.

Mancester a very small Village.

Atherstone a Mercat Town of good resort.

Merival.

Pollesworth. Sir Francis Nethersole a Kentish Gentleman of an ancient house, sometimes Orator to the University of Cambridge, Secretary to the Queen of Bohemia hath erected a School-house there.

In this County there are an hundred and fifty eight Parish Churches.

Westmorland.

IT is so called, because it lieth all of it among Moors and high Hills, and was for the most part unmanured. Such barren places the Northern Englishmen call Moors: and West-moreland is a Western-moorish Country.

It is bounded on the West and North-side with Cumberland; on the East with Yorkshire, and the Bishopric of Durrham.

The Barony of Kendale and Candale of the River Can, which running thorough upon stones, cutteth thorough it.

Kendale-Church by Kendale, a Town of very great Trade and resort, with two broad and long streets crossing the one over the other, and a place for excellent clothing, and for industry so surpassing, that in regard thereof it carrieth a great name. For, the Inhabitants have great traffic and vent of their woolen Cloaths throughout all parts of England.

In the River Can are two water-falls, where the waters have a downfall, with a mighty noise.

Kirkby-Lonsdale, whither all the people round about repair to Church and Mercat.

Wharton-Hall, the seat of the Barons Wharton.

Kirkby-Stephen a Mercat Town well known.

Musgrave, there are two little Villages of that name, which gave name unto that martial and warlick Family of the Musgraves.

Burgh under Stanemore a small poor Village fenced with a little Fortress.

Apelby memorable for its antiquity and situation only. It standeth in a pleasant site, encompassed for the most part with the River Eden; for its antiquity it deserves to be counted the chief Town of the Shire. The Castle is the common-Goal for malefactors.

Whellep-Castle.

Brougham.

In this Shire are contained six and twenty Parishes.

Wiltshire.

IT is altogether a mediterranean or midland Country. It is enclosed with Somersetshire on the West, Berkshire and Hampshire on the East; on the North with Glocestershire; on the South with Dorsetshire, and a part of Hampshire.

A region, which as it breedeth a number of warlike and hardy men, who in old time with Cornwall and Denshire together challenged by reason of their manhood, and martial prowess the prerogative of the English Army, of that Regiment which should second the main Battle; so it is exceeding fertile, and plentiful of all things; yea, and for the variety thereof passing pleasant and delightsome.

Wansdike a Dike of wonderful work, cast up for many miles together.

The Saxons made it as a limit to divide the two Kingdom of the Mercians and West-Saxons asunder: For this was the very place of Battle between them, while each strove one with another, to enlarge his Dominions.

Greeklade, so called of Greek Philosophers, as some are ready to believe; who (as the History of Oxford reporteth) began there an University, which afterwards was translated to Oxford.

Camdens Britain.

This (though Leland dislikes) other learned men approve.

See M. Seldens Illustrat. of Draytons Polyolb.

High-worth highly seated, and well known.

Wood-Town or Wotton-Basset. It hath his primitive name from Wood, the addition proves, that it belonged to the noble House of the Bassets.

Malmesbury, a very neat Town, and hath a great name for clothing.

See Monasticon Anglicanum, p. 49. of the Monastery here.

Maidulphi Urbs, that is, Maidulphs City, and afterwards short Malmesbury. Aldelme the chief of Maidulphs Disciples being elected, his Successor built there a very fair Monastery, and was himself the first Abbot thereof. He was canonized a Saint, and on his Festival day, there was here kept a great Fair, at which usually there is a Band of armed men, appointed to keep the peace among so many resorting thither. He was the first of the English Nation, who wrote in Latin, and that taught Englishmen the way how to make a Latin Verse.

This Monastery among other famous Clerks, & great Scholars, brought forth William surnamed thereof Malmesburiensis, unto whom for his learned industry, the History of England both Civil and Ecclesiastical are deeply indebted.

Colne an old little Town situate upon a stony ground, having in it a fair Church to commend it.

Chippenham, of note at this day for the Market there kept. There is now nothing worth the sight but the Church, built by the Barons Hungerford, as appeareth everywhere by their Coats of Arms set up thereon.

Cosham a little Village.

Castle-Comb an old Castle.

Leckham the possession of the noble Family of the Bainards.

Lacock a Monastery.

The Castle De Vies, the Devizes, built by Roger Bishop of Salisbury. He built also the Castle of Malmesbury and Shireburn.

Trubridge, that is, a sure and trusty Bridge in great name and prosperity by reason of clothing, and showeth the remains of a Castle.

Bradford, so named of a broad Ford.

Long-Leat, the dwelling place of the Thins, a very fair, neat and elegant house in a foul soil.

Maiden-Bradley. A Maiden infected with the Leprosy, founded an house here for Maidens that were Lepers.

Stourton the seat of the Lord's Stourton, so called of the River Stour.

Werminster exceeding much frequented for a round Corn-Market.

Sarisbury-Plains, they are but rarely inhabited, and had in late time a bad name, for robberies there committed.

Heitesbury an ancient Mansion place of the Family of Hungerford.

Yanesbury-Castle a very large warlike Fence or Hold, fortified with a deep and double Ditch.

Wardour a proper fine Castle.

Hindon, a quick Market.

Wilton, so called from the River Willey, a place well watered, and sometime the head Town of the whole Shire, which thereof took the name. It is now a small Village, having a Major for the head Magistrate, and in it a fine House of the Earls of Pembroke.

Salisbury. There is a stately and beautiful Minster, which with an exceeding high spired Steeple, and double cross-Isles on both sides. The Windows in the Church, as they reckon them, answer just in number to the days, the Pillars great and small, to the hours of a full year, and the gates to the twelve Moneths.

It hath a Cloister for largeness and fine workmanship inferior to none: whereunto joineth the Bishops Palace, a very fair and goodly house: and on the other side a high bell Tower, and passing strong withal, standing by itself apart from the Minster, every street is watered.

It is the second City in all this Tract well inhabited and frequented, plentiful of all things, especially of Fish, adorned with a very stately Market place, wherein standeth their common Hall of Timber work, a very beautiful Edifice. It boasteth chiefly of John Jewel long since Bishop there, a wonderful great and deep Divine, a most stout and earnest maintainer of our Reformed Religion against the Adversaries by his learned Books.

Clarindon a very large and goodly Park very fit for the keeping and feeding of wild beasts.

About six miles from Salisbury in the Plains before named, is to be seen a huge and monstrous piece of work Stone-henge. Within the circuit of a Ditch, there are erected in manner of a Crown, in three ranks or courses one within another certain mighty and unwrought Stones, whereof some are eight and twenty foot high, and seven foot broad; upon the heads of which, others like overthwart pieces do bear and rest cross-wise, with small tenets and mortesis, so as the whole frame seemeth to hang.

Everly-Warren, a Warren of Hares.

Savernac-Forest of great name for plenty of good game, and for a kind of Ferne there, that yieldeth a most pleasing savor. In remembrance whereof, their Hunters-horn of a mighty bigness, and tipped with silver, the Earl of Hertford keepeth unto this day, as a Monument of his Progenitors.

Atibury an uplandish Village.

Rockley a little Village.

Kenet.

Marleborow. It was most famous by reason of a Parliament there holden, wherein by a general consent of the States of the Kingdom there assembled, a Law passed for the appeasing of all Tumults, commonly called, The Statute of Marleborow.

Ramesbury a pretty Village, which hath pretty Meadows about it.

Littlecot, a place worthy to be remembered, because of the late Lord thereof Sir John Popham, who being the chief Judge in the Kings-Bench, executed Justice against malefactors to his high praise and commendation.

This County containeth in it three hundred and four Parishes.

Worcestershire.

SO called of the principal Town in it.

Here are many Salt-pits, which the old Englishmen in their Language named Wiches.

Warwickshire confineth on the East of this County, Glocestershire on the South, it is bounded Westward with Herefordshire and Shropshire; North-East with Staffordshire; it hath so temperate an air, and so favorable soil, that for healthfulnesse and plenty, it is not inferior to the neighbor Countries, and in one part for dainty Cheese surpasseth them. It yieldeth store of Pears, of which they make a bastard kind of Wine called Pyrry, which they drink very much, although it be (as other drinks of that kind) both cold and full of wind.

In every place there are sweet Rivers, which afford a great abundance of the most delicate kind of fishes.

Severn that noble and renowned River carrieth his stream along, through the midst of the Shire from North to South; and Avon that cometh down out of Warwickshire to meet with Severn, watereth the South-part thereof.

Beawdly, worthily so called for the beautiful site thereof, standeth most pleasantly upon the hanging of an Hill, and hovereth over the River on the West-side: on late days well known for the admirable talnesse of Trees growing in the Forest of Wyre adjoining, which now in manner be all gone.

Kidderminster a fair Town, and hath a great Mercat of all Commodities, well frequented, parted in twain by little River Stowre that runneth thorough it. There is a very beautiful Church.

Hertlebury-Castle.

Holt-Castle, so called of a very thick wood there.

Frankeley the Family of the Littletons, planted by John Littleton, aliàs Westcote the famous Lawyer, Justice in the Kings-Bench in the time of King Edward the Fourth, to whose Treatise of Tenures the Students of our Common-Law are no less beholden, then the Civilians to Justinians Institutes.

Bromesgrove a Mercat Town.

Grafton.

Droitwich, some term it Durtwich, of the Salt-pits, and the wettish ground on which it standeth, where three fountains yielding plenty of water to make salt of, divided asunder by a little Brook of fresh water passing between, by a peculiar gift of nature spring out: out of which most pure white Salt is boiled for six Moneths every year, viz. from Mid-summer to mid-winter, in many set furnaces round about.

Richard De la Wich Bishop of Chichester was here born, whom Pope Urban the fourth canonized for a Saint.

Fekenham-Forest.

Worcester the principal City of this Shire, an ancient and beautiful place. It standeth in a place rising somewhat with a gentle ascent, by the Rivers-side that hath a fair Bridge with a Tower over it, it is well and strongly walled. There are fair and neat Houses, many Churches. It is a Bishops See. The Cathedral Church is a passing fair and stately building, adorned with the Monuments and Tombs of King John, Arthur Prince of Wales, and divers of the Beauchamps.

Powick, famous for Cherries.

Hanley-Castle.

Upton a Mercate Town of great name.

Malvern-Hills, great and high Mountains, which for the space of seven miles, or thereabout, do (as it were) by degrees rise higher and higher, dividing this Shire from the County of Hereford.

Bredon-Hills far less.

Elmesley-Castle.

Washborn a Village, whence came the surname to a very ancient and worshipful Family in this Tract.

Eovesham, so called, as the Monks write, of one Eoves, Swinherd to Egwin Bishop of Worcester. A very proper Town situate upon an Hill arising from the River. A Town well known for the Vale under it, named thereof, The Vale of Evesham, which for plentiful fertility hath well deserved to be called the Granary of all these Countries; so good and plentiful is the ground in yielding the best Corn abundantly.

Charlton, now the seat of the Dingleyes.

Oswaldslow-Hundred, so called of Oswald Bishop of Worcester, who obtained it for himself of King Edgar.

Augustine's-Oke, at which Augustine the Apostle of the Englishmen, and the Bishops of Britain met, and after they had disputed and debated the matter hotly for a good while touching the Celebration of Easter, preaching God's Word also to the English Nation, and of administering Baptism according to the Rites of the Roman Church; in the end, when they could not agree they departed on both sides with discontented minds, upon their dissenting opinions.

There are in this Shire an hundred fifty and two Parishes.

Yorkshire.

THe County of York, the greatest Shire by far of all England, is thought to be in a temperate measure fruitful. If in one place there be stony and sandy barren ground, in another place there are for it Corn-fields, as rich and fruitful; if it be void and destitute of woods here, you shall find it shadowed there with most thick Forests: So providently useth nature such a temperature, that the whole Country may seem by reason also of that variety more graceful and delectable.

It is far greater and more numerous in the circuit of her miles, then any Shire of England. The length extended from Hart-Hill in the South to the mouth of Tees in the North is near unto seventy miles; the breadth from Flambrough-head to Horn-Castle upon the River Lun is eighty, the whole circumference three hundred and eight miles. Speed.

Helmsley a Manor in Yorkshire hath two Parks and a Chase in it, it is said to be about an hundred forty six miles compass, it had forty thousand timber Trees, and two hundred Acres of wood. There are many Free-holders there.

It is famous for Wool, Grasing, Corn, Rivers and Fountains. There are the Gips upon Yorkshire Woolds, which in the drought of Summer, when all other Springs seem to be dried up, burst out and rise up five or six yards plum height, and so fall down into the Dales, and make a little River, by which the Towns near thereto refresh their Cattle, when the Valley springs fail.

On the North-side it hath the Bishopric of Durham, which the River Tees with a continued course separateth from it: On the East-side the Germane Sea lieth sore upon it: and the South-side is enclosed first with Cheshire and Darbyshire; then with Nottinghamshire, and after with Lincolnshire, where that famous arm of the Sea Humber floweth between, into which all the Rivers well near that water this Shire empty themselves (as it were) into their common receptacle.

The whole Shire is divided into three parts: which according to the three Quarters of the world are called, The West-Riding, The East-Riding, The North-Riding. West-Riding, for a good while is compassed in with the River Ouse, with the bound of Lancashire, and with the South limits of the Shire, and beareth toward the West and South. East-Riding, looketh to the Sun-rising, and the Ocean, which together with the River Derwent encloseth it. North-Riding reacheth Northward, hemmed in (as it were) with the River Tees with Derwent and a long race of the River Ouse.

Folio.

THe Sovereigns Prerogative, and the Subjects Privilege, comprised in several Speeches, Cases and Arguments of Law, discussed between the late King Charles, and the most eminent Persons of both Houses of Parliament.

Together with the Grand Mysteries of State then in agitation, collected and revived by Tho. Fuller B. D. in Fol.

Quarto.

That delightful Peece, entitled, Gemmarius Fidelis, or, The Faithful Lapidary, experimentally describing the richest Treasure of Nature, in an Historical Narration of the several Natures, Virtues and Qualities of all Precious Stones.

With an accurate Discovery of such as are Adulterate and Counterfeit, very necessary for all Gentlemen, Merchants and Tradesmen.

Large Octavo.

The Rogue, or, The Life of Guzman de Alfarache the witty Spaniard, the fifth and last Edition corrected, with many Additions never before printed.

Small Octavo.

The Ascent to Bliss by three steps, viz. Philosophy, History and Theology. In a brief Discourse of Mans Felicity, with many remarkable Examples of divers Kings and Princes. Very pleasant and profitable for all sort of people. To which is annexed that most excellent Dialogue of D. Thaulerus with a Beggar.

The Practick Part of the Law, showing, The Office of a Compleat Attorney in the full Prosecution of any Action, whether Real, Personal or Mixt; (from the very Original to the Execution) in all Courts; with the exact Fees of all Officers and Ministers of the Court.

Together▪ with special Instructions for the Solicitation of any Cause in Chancery or elsewhere, relating to the present Government, being useful for all men. The last and fifth Impression corrected, with a Table.

The Baptized Turk, or, A Narrative of the happy Conversion of Signior Ripex Dandulo the only son of a silk Merchant in the Isle of Tzio from the Delusions of that great Impostor Mahomet unto the Christian Religion, and of his Admission unto Baptism, by M. Gunning at Exeter-house the 8th of November, 1657. drawn up by Tho. Warmestry D. D.

The Mirrour of Justices, by Andrew Horn. To which is added, The Diversity and Jurisdictions of Courts, both now most exactly rendered to more ample advantage out of the old French into the English Tongue, by W. H. of Grayes Inn Esq. The second Edition corrected and amended.

Advice to Balaam' s Ass, or, Momus Catechized; in Answer to a certain scurrilous Pamphlet, entitled, Advice to a Daughter.

Large Twelves.

The Entrance of Mazzarini through the first years Regency of Anna Maria of Austria Queen Dowager of France, and Mother of the present Monarch Lewis XIV. wherein the Principal Causes of those Revolutions that have since happened in that Kingdom may be discovered.

The Fatal Doom to the Reprobates, and Charms of Divine Love to the Regenerate, being a Learned and Usefull Comment on 1 Cor. 16. 21. by R. Hook late Preacher to the Honorable Society of Lincolns-Inn.

Small Twelves.

The Christian Diary, or, The whole Duty of Man, describing the Means of obtaining every Virtue, and the Remedies against every Vice, with Prayers containing the whole Duty of a Christian, and the Parts of Devotions, fitted for all Occasions and Necessities, by N. Caussin Author of the Holy Court.

The Wicked Mans Plot Defeated, or, The Wicked Man laughed out of Countenance, by Tho. Baker Rector of S. Mary the More in Exon.

A Word of Caution to the present Times, in relation to the Atheists and ERRORISTS thereof, by Edward Reynolds D. D.

Twenty fours.

A Bundle of Spikenard, or, Holy Thoughts and Devotions for the Lord's Table, before the Receiving of the Sacrament, by Tho. Warmestry D. D.

HYGIASTICON, or, The right course of preserving Life and Health unto extreme Old-Age: Together with soundness and integrity of the Senses, Judgment and Memory, by the learned Leo Lessius. The third Edition.

An Elegy on the deplored Death of that rare Column of Parnassus M. John Cleveland.

Plays.
• The Valiant Scot.
• Antiquary.
• Dukes Mistress.
• Unnatural Combat.
• Monsieur Thomas.