_WE read that the earth hath beene diuided into thrée parts, euen sithens the generall floud. And the common opinion is,Noah first diuided the earth among his sonnes. that Noah limited and bestowed it vpon his three sons, Iaphet, Cham, and Sem, preserued with him in the Arke, giuing vnto each of them such portions thereof as to him séemed good, and neuer|thelesse reteining the souereigntie of the whole still vn|to himselfe: albeit as yet it be left vncertaine how those seuerall parts were bounded, and from whome they tooke such names as in our times are attributed to each of them. Certes the words, Asia, Europa, and Africa, are denominations giuen but of late (to speake of) vnto them, and it is to be doubted, whether sithens the time of Noah, the sea hath in sundrie places wonne or lost, added or diminished to and from each of them; or whe|ther Europa, and Lybia were but one portion; and the same westerlie regions of late discouered (and now cal|led America,) was the third part (counting Asia for the second) or the selfe region of the Atlantides, which Plato and others, for want of traffike thither in their times, supposed to be dissolued and sunke into the sea: as by their writings appeereth.

Not long before my time,The diuisi|on of the earth not yet certein| illegible ie knowne. we reckoned Asia, Europa, and Africa, for a full and perfect diuision of the whole earth, which are parcels onelie of that huge Iland that lieth east of the Atlantike sea, and where|of the first is diuided from the second by Tanais (which riseth in the rocks of Caucasus, and hideth it selfe in the Meotine moores) and the Ocean sea; and the last from them both by the Mediterrane and red sea, other|wise called Mare Erythraeum. But now all men, especi|ally the learned, begin to doubt of the soundnes of that partition; bicause a no lesse part than the greatest of the thrée ioined with those Ilands and maine which lie vn|der the north and Southpoles, if not double in quanti|tie vnto the same, are found out and discouered by the diligence of our trauellers. Hereby it appeereth, that either the earth was not exactlie diuided in time past by antiquitie; or els, that the true diuision thereof came not to the hands and notice of their posteritie, so that our ancestors haue hitherto as it were laboured in the Cimmerian darkenesse, and were vtterlie ignorant of the truth of that whereabout they indeuoured to shew their trauels and knowledge in their writings. Some peece of this confusion also is to be found amongst the ancient and Romane writers, who (notwithstanding their large conquests) did sticke in the same mire with their successors; not being able (as appeereth by their treatises) to deliuer and set downe the veritie.Uariance among the writers a|bout the di|uision of the earth. For Sa|lust in his booke De bello Iugurthino cannot tell whether Africa be parcell of Asia or not. And with the same scru|ple Varro in his booke De lingua Lat. is not a litle incum|bred, who in the end concludeth, that the whole earth is diuided into Asia and Europa: so that Africa is excluded and driuen out of his place. Silius also writeth of Africa, (as one not yet resolued wherevnto to leane,) that it is; Aut ingens Asiae latus, aut pars tertia rerum. Wherein Lucane lib. 9. sheweth himselfe to be far of another iudgement, in that he ascribeth it to Europa, saieng after this maner: Tertia pars rerum Lybia: si credere famae Cuncta velis, si ventos coelúmque sequaris, Pars erit Europae, nec enim plus littora Nili Quàm Scythicus Tanais primis à gradibus absunt.

Whereby (I saie) we may well vnderstand, that in the time of Augustus Tiberius, Claudius & Nero, the Ro|manes were not yet resolued of the diuision of the earth. For my part, as I indeuour not to remooue the credit of that which antiquitie hath deliuered (and yet loth to continue and maintaine any corruption that may be redressed) so I thinke good to giue foorth a new diuision more probable, & better agreeing with a truth. And therefore I diuide the whole into fiue seuerall par|cels,The earth diuided into fiue parts, whereas Belforrest hath but foure, in Prefat. lib. 4. reteining the common diuision in the first three, as before; and vnto the fourth allowing not onelie all that portion that lieth by north of the Magellan streicts, and those Hyperborean Ilands which lie west of the line of longitude, of late discouered by Frobisher, and called by hir Maiestie Meta incognita: but likewise so manie Ilands as are within 180. degrées Westwards from our beginning or common line of longitude, whereby they are parted from those, which by this diuisi|on are allotted vnto Asia, and the portion it selfe made equipollent with the same for greatnes, & far excéeding either Europa or Africa, if it be not fullie so much in quantitie as they both vnited and laid togither. The fift & last part is the Antartike portion with hir Ilands an|nexed, that region (I meane) which lieth vnder the South pole, cut off from America, or the fourth part by the Ma|gellan strei illegible ts; & from Africa by the sea which passeth by the Cape of good hope; Cape di bon illegible Speranzae. a countrie no lesse large for limits and bounds than Africa or America, and there|fore right worthie to be called the fift: howsoeuer it shall please the curious to mislike of this diuision. This also I will adde, that albeit the continent hereof doo not extend it selfe vnto the verie Antartike point, but lieth as it were a long table betwéene two seas, of which the later is vnder the South poole,The form illegible of the fift part. and as I may call it a maine sea vnder the aforesaid pricke, yet is it not with|out sundrie Ilands also adioining vnto it, and the inner most sea not destitute of manie, as by experience hath béene of late confirmed. Furthermore, whereas our de|scribers of the earth haue made it such in their descrip|tions, as hath reached litle or nothing into the peace|able sea without the Antartike circle: it is now found by Theuet and others, that it extendeth it selfe north|wards into that trace, by no small number of leagues, euen in maner to the Equator, in so much that the we|sterlie part thereof from America, is supposed to reach northward so far from the Antartike article, as Africa dooth southwards from the tropike of Cancer, which is no small portion of ground; & I maruell why not obser|ued by such as heretofore haue written of the same. But they excuse themselues by the ingratitude of the Por|tingals and Spaniards, who haue of purpose concealed manie things found out in their trauell, least they should séeme to open a gap by dooing otherwise, for strangers to enter into their conquests. As for those Ilands also which lie in the peaceable sea, scattered here and there, as Iaua the greater, the lesser Sumatra, Ia|pan, Burneo, &c: with a number of other, I refer them still vnto Asia, as before, so as they be without the compasse of 90. degrées eastward from the line of lon|gitude, & not aboue 180. as I doo the Ile of S. Laurence, and a number of other vnto Africa within the said pro|portion, wishing so little alteration as I may: and yet not yéelding vnto any confusion, whereby the truth of the diuision should hereafter be impeached.

And whereas by Virgil (speaking of our Iland) saith; Et penitùs toto diuisos orbe Britannos,

And some other authors not vnwoorthie to be read and perused,Unto what portion Bri|taine is re|ferred. it is not certeine vnto which portion of the earth our Ilands, and Thule, with sundrie the like scattered in the north seas should be ascribed, bi|cause they excluded them (as you sée) from the rest of the whole earth: I haue thought good, for facilitie sake of diuision, to refer them all which lie within the first mi|nute of longitude, set downe by Ptolome, to Europa, and that as reason requireth: so that the aforesaid line shall henceforth be their Meta & partition from such as are to be ascribed to America; albeit they come verie neere vnto the aforesaid portion, & may otherwise (with|out preiudice) be numbred with the same. It may be that some will thinke this my dealing either to be su|perfiuous, or to procéed from (I wot not what) foolish curiositie: for the world is now growne to be very apt and readie to iudge the hardest of euerie attempt. But forsomuch as my purpose is to leaue a plaine report of such matter as I doo write of, and deliuer such things as I intreat of in distinct and vpright order; though me|thod now and then doo faile, I will go forward with my indeuour, referring the examination of my dooings to the indifferent and learned eare, without regard what the other doo conceiue and imagine of me. In the meane season therefore it shall suffice to say at this time, that Albion as the mother, and the rest of the Ilands as hir daughters, lieng east of the line of longitude, be still ascribed vnto Europa: wherevnto some good authours heretofore in their writings, & their owne proper or na|turall situations also haue not amisse referred them.

_BRitannia or Britain,How Bri|taine lieth from the maine. as we now terme it in our English toong, or Brutania as some pronounce it (by reason of the letter y in the first syllable of the word, as antiquitie did sometime deliuer it) is an Ile lieng in the Ocean sea, directlie ouer against that part of France which conteineth Picardie, Norman|die, and thereto the greatest part of little Britaine, which later region was called in time past Armorica, of the situation thereof vpon the sea coast, vntill such time as a companie of Britons (either led ouer by some of the Romane Emperours, or flieng thither from the tyrannie of such as oppressed them here in this Iland) did setle themselues there, and called it Britaine, after the name of their owne countrie, from whence they aduentured thither. It hath Ireland vpon the west side, on the north the maine sea, euen to Thule and the Hyperboreans; and on the east side also the Germane Ocean, by which we passe dailie through the trade of merchandize, not onlie into the low countries of Bel|gie, now miserablie afflicted betwéene the Spanish power and popish inquisition (as spice betwéene the morter and the pestell) but also into Germanie, Friezeland, Denmarke, and Norwaie, carrieng from hence thither, and bringing from thence hither, all such necessarie commodities as the seuerall countries doo yéeld: through which meanes, and besides common a|mitie conserued, traffike is mainteined, and the neces|sitie of each partie abundantlie reléeued.

It conteineth in longitude taken by the middest of the region 19. degrees exactlie:The longi|tude and la|titude of this Ile. and in latitude 53. de|grées, and thirtie min. after the opinions of those that haue diligentlie obserued the same in our daies, and the faithfull report of such writers as haue left notice there|of vnto vs, in their learned treatises to be perpetuallie remembred. Howbeit, whereas some in setting downe of these two lines, haue séemed to varie about the pla|cing of the same, each of them diuerstie remembring the names of sundrie cities and townes, whereby they affirme them to haue their seuerall courses: for my part I haue thought good to procéed somewhat after another sort; that is, by diuiding the latest and best chards each way into two equall parts (so neere as I can possible bring the same to passe) wherby for the middle of lati|tude, I product Caerlile and Newcastell vpon Tine, (whose longest day consisteth of sixtéene houres, 48. mi|nuts) and for the longitude, Newberie,Longest day. Warwike, Shef|field, Skipton, &c: which dealing, in mine opinion, is most easie and indifferent, and likeliest meane to come by the certeine standing and situation of our Iland.

Touching the length and bredth of the same,The com|passe of Bri|taine. I find some variance amongst writers: for after some, there are from the Piere or point of Douer, vnto the farthest part of Cornewall westwards 320. miles: from thence againe to the point of Cathnesse by the Irish sea 800. Wherby Polydore and other doo gather, that the circuit of the whole Iland of Britaine is 1720. miles, which is full 280. lesse than Caesar dooth set downe, except there be some difference betwéene the Romane and British miles, as there is indéed; wherof hereafter I may make some farther conference.

Martianus writing of the bredth of Britaine, hath on|lie 300. miles, but Orosius hath 1200. in the whole com|passe. Ethicus also agreeing with Plinie, Martianus, and Solinus, hath 800. miles of length, but in the breadth he commeth short of their account by 120. miles. In like maner Dion in Seuero maketh the one of 891. miles: but the other; to wit, where it is broadest, of 289. and where it is narowest, of 37. Finally, Diodorus Siculus affirmeth the south coast to conteine 7000 furlongs, the second; to wit, à Carione ad Promontorium 15000. the third 20000. and the whole circuit to consist of 42000. But in our time we reckon the breadth from Douer to Cornewall, not to be aboue 300. miles, and the length from Douer to Cathnesse, no more than 500. which ne|uerthelesse must be measured by a right line, for other|wise I see not how the said diuision can hold.

The forme and fashion of this Ile is thrée cornered,The illegible as some haue deuised, like vnto a triangle, bastard sword, wedge, or partesant, being broadest in the south part, and gathering still narrower and narrower, till it come to the farthest point of Cathnesse northward, where it is narrowest of all, & there endeth in maner of a promontorie called Caledonium & Orchas in British Morwerydh, which is not aboue 30. miles ouer, as dai|lie experience by actuall trauell dooth confirme.

The old writers giue vnto the thrée principall cor|ners, crags,Promonto|ries of Bri|taine. points, and promontories of this Iland, thrée seuerall names. As vnto that of Kent, Cantium, that of Cornewall, Hellenes, and of Scotland, Caledo|nium, and Orchas; and these are called principall, in re|spect of the other, which are Taruisium, Nouantum, Epi|dium, Gangacum, Octapites, Herculeum, Antiueste|um, Ocrinum, Berubium, Taizalum, Acantium, &c: of which I thought good also to leaue this notice, to the end that such as shall come after, may thereby take oc|casion to seeke out their true places, wherof as yet I am in maner ignorant, I meane for the most part; bicause I haue no sound author that dooth leade mée to their knowledge.

Furthermore,The distãce from the maine. the shortest and most vsuall cut that we haue out of our Iland to the maine, is from Douer (the farthest part of Kent eastward) vnto Calice a towne in Picardie 1300 miles from Rome, in old time called Petressa and Scalas, though some like better of black|nesse where the breadth of the sea is not aboue thir|tie miles. Which course, as it is now frequented and vsed for the most common and safe passage of such as come into our countrie out of France and diuers other realms, so it hath not beene vnknowne of old time vnto the Romans, who for the most part vsed these two hauens for their passage and repassage to and fro; al|though we finde, that now and then diuerse of them came also from Bullen, and landed at Sandwich, or some other places of the coast more toward the west, or betweene Hide and Lid; to wit, Romneie marsh, which in old time was called Romania or Romanorum insula) as to auoid the force of the wind & weather, that often molesteth seafaringmen in these narrowe seas, best liked them for their safegards. Betweene the part of Holland also, which lieth néere the mouth of the Rhene and this our Iland, are 900. furlongs, as Sosimus saith; and besides him, diuers other writers, which being con|uerted into English miles, doo yeeld 112. and foure od furlongs, whereby the iust distance of the neerest part of Britaine, from that part of the maine also dooth cer|teinlie appéere to be much lesse than the common maps of our countrie haue hitherto set downe.

_AS few or no nations can iustlie boast themselues to haue con|tinued sithence their countrie was first replenished, without any mixture, more or lesse, of forreine inhabitants; no more can this our Iland, whose mani|fold commodities haue oft allu|red sundrie princes and famous capteines of the world to conquer and subdue the same vnto their owne sub|iection. Manie sorts of people therfore haue come in hi|ther and settled themselues here in this Ile, and first of all other, a parcell of the linage and posteritie of Ia|phet,Samothe|ans. brought in by Samothes in the 1910. after the creation of Adam. Howbeit in processe of time, and after they had indifferentlie replenished and furnished this Iland with people (which was doone in the space of 335. yeares) Albion the giant afore mentioned, repai|red hither with a companie of his owne race procéeding from Cham, and not onelie annexed the same to his owne dominion, but brought all such in like sort as he found here of the line of Iaphet, into miserable serui|tude and most extreame thraldome. After him also, and within lesse than sixe hundred and two yeares, came Brute the sonne of Syluius with a great traine of the posteritie of the dispersed Troians in 324. ships:Britains. who rendering the like courtesie vnto the Chemminits as they had doone before vnto the séed of Iaphet,Chemmi|nits. brought them also wholie vnder his rule and gouernance, and dispossessing the peeres & inferior owners of their lands and possessions, he diuided the countrie among such princes and capteines as he in his arriuall here had led out of Grecia with him.

From hencefoorth I doo not find any sound report of other nation whatsoeuer,Romans. that should aduenture hither to dwell, and alter the state of the land, vntill the Ro|mane emperours subdued it to their dominion, sa|uing of a few Galles, (and those peraduenture of Belgie) who first comming ouer to rob and pilfer vpon the coasts, did afterward plant themselues for altogi|ther neere vnto the shore, and there builded sundrie ci|ties and townes which they named after those of the maine, from whence they came vnto vs. And this is not onelie to be gathered out of Cesar where he wri|teth of Britaine of set purpose, but also else-where, as in his second booke a litle after the beginning: for spea|king of Deuiaticus king of the Swessions liuing in his time, he affirmeth him not onelie to be the mightiest prince of all the Galles, but also to hold vnder his sub|iection the Ile of Britaine, of which his sonne Galba was afterward dispossessed. But after the com|ming of the Romans, it is hard to say with how manie sorts of people we were dailie pestered, almost in euerie steed. For as they planted their forworne legions in the most fertile places of the realme, and where they might best lie for the safegard of their conquests: so their armies did commonlie consist of manie sorts of people, and were (as I may call them) a confused mixture of all other countries and nations then liuing in the world. Howbeit, I thinke it best, bicause they did all beare the title of Romans, to re|teine onelie that name for them all, albeit they were wofull ghests to this our Iland: sith that with them came all maner of vice and vicious liuing, all riot and excesse of behauiour into our countrie, which their legi|ons brought hither from each corner of their domini|ons: for there was no prouince vnder them from whence they had not seruitours.

How and when the Scots,Scots. Picts. a people mixed of the Scithian and Spanish blood, should arriue here out of Ireland, & when the Picts should come vnto vs out of Sarmatia, or from further toward the north & the Scithi|an Hyperboreans, as yet it is vncerteine. For though the Scotish histories doo carrie great countenance of their antiquitie in this Iland: yet (to saie fréelie what I thinke) I iudge them rather to haue stolne in hither within the space of 100. yeares before Christ, than to haue continued here so long as they themselues pre|tend, if my coniecture be any thing. Yet I denie not, but that as the Picts were long planted in this Iland be|fore the Scots aduentured to settle themselues also in Britaine; so the Scots did often aduenture hither to rob and steale out of Ireland, and were finallie called in by the Meats or Picts (as the Romans named them, be|cause they painted their bodies) to helpe them against the Britains, after the which they so planted them|selues in these parts, that vnto our time that portion of the land cannot he cleansed of them. I find also that as these Scots were reputed for the most Scithian-like and barbarous nation, and longest without letters; so they vsed commonlie to steale ouer into Britaine in leather skewes, and began to helpe the Picts about or not long before the beginning of Cesars time. For both Diodorus lib. 6. and Strabo lib. 4. doo seeme to speake of a parcell of the Irish nation that should inhabit Bri|taine in their time, which were giuen to the eating of mans flesh, and therefore called Anthropophagi. Ma|mertinus in like sort dooth note the Redshanks and the Irish (which are properlie the Scots) to be the onelie enimies of our nation, before the comming of Caesar, as appeareth in his panegyricall oration, so that hereby it is found that they are no new ghestes in Britaine. Wherefore all the controuersie dooth rest in the time of their first attempt to inhabit in this Iland. Certein|lie I maruell much whie they trauell not to come in with Cantaber and Partholonus: but I see perfectlie that this shift should be too grosse for the maintenance of their desired antiquitie. Now, as concerning their name, the Saxons translated the word Scotus for Irish: whereby it appeareth that those Irish, of whom Strabo and Diodorus doo speake, are none other than those Scots, of whom Ierome speaketh A duersus Iouini|anum, lib. 2. who vsed to féed on the buttocks of boies and womens paps, as delicate dishes. Aethicus writing of the Ile of Man, affirmeth it to be inhabited with Scots so well as Ireland euen in his time. Which is another proofe that the Scots and Irish are all one people. They were also called Scoti by the Romans, bicause their I|land & originall inhabitation thereof were vnknowne, and they themselues an obscure nation in the sight of all the world. Now as concerning the Picts,Of the Picts. whatso|euer Ranulphus Hygden imagineth to the contrarie of their latter enterance, it is easie to find by Herodian and Mamertinus (of which the one calleth them Meates, the other Redshankes and Pictones) that they were setled in this Ile long before the time of Seuerus, yea of Caesar, and comming of the Scots. Which is proofe suffi|cient, if no further authoritie remained extant for the same. So that the controuersie lieth not in their com|ming also, but in the true time of their repaire and ad|uenture into this Iland out of the Orchades (out of which they gat ouer into the North parts of our coun|trie, as the writers doo report) and from whence they came at the first into the aforsaid Ilands. For my part I suppose with other, that they came hither out of Sar|matia or Scythia: for that nation hauing how al|waies an eie vnto the commodities of our countrie, hath sent out manie companies to inuade and spoile the same. It may be that some will gather, those to be the Picts, of whom Caesar saith that they stained their faces with wad and madder, to the end they might ap|peare terrible and fearefull to their enimies; and so in|ferre that the Picts were naturall Britans. But it is one thing to staine the face onelie as the Britans did, of whom Propertius saith, Nunc etiam infectos demummutare Britannos, And to paint the images and portrattures of beasts, fish and foules ouer the whole bodie, as the Picts did, of whom Martial saith, Barbara depictis veni Bascauda Britannis. Certes the times of Samothes and Albion, haue some likelie limitation: and so we may gather of the comming in of Brute, of Caesar, the Saxons, the Danes, the Normans, and finallie of the Flemmings, (who had the Rosse in Wales assigned vnto them 1066. after the drowning of their countrie.) But when first the Picts, & then the Scots should come ouer into our. I|land, as they were obscure people, so the time of their arriuall is as far to me vnknowne. Wherefore the reso|lution of this point must still remaine In tenebris. This neuerthelesse is certeine, that Maximus first Le|gate of Britaine, and afterward emperour, draue the Scots out of Britaine, and compelled them to get ha|bitation in Ireland, the out Iles, and the North part of the maine, and finallie diuided their region betwéene the Britaines and the Picts. He denounced warre also against the Irishmen, for receiuing them into their land: but they crauing the peace, yéelded to subscribe, that from thence-foorth they would not receiue any Scot into their dominions; and so much the more, for that they were pronounced enimies to the Romans, and disturbers of the common peace and quietnesse of their prouinces here in England.

The Saxons became first acquainted with this Ile, by meanes of the piracie which they dailie practi|sed vpon our coastes (after they had once begun to ad|uenture themselues also vpon the seas, thereby to seeke out more wealth than was now to be gotten in the West parts of the maine, which they and their neigh|bours had alreadie spoiled in most lamentable and bar|barous maner) howbeit they neuer durst presume to inhabit in this Iland,The hurt by forren aid. vntill they were sent for by Vor|tiger to serue him in his warres against the Picts and Scots, after that the Romans had giuen vs ouer, and lest vs wholie to our owne defense and regiment. Be|ing therefore come vnder Hengist in three bottoms or kéeles, and in short time espieng the idle and negligent behauiour of the Britaines, and fertilitie of our soile, they were not a little inflamed to make a full conquest of such as at the first they came to aid and succour. Herevpon also they fell by little and little to the wind|ing in of greater numbers of their countrimen and neighbours, with their wiues and children into this re|gion, so that within a while these new comlings began to molest the homelings, and ceased not from time to time to continue their purpose, vntill they had gotten possession of the whole, or at the leastwise the greatest part of our countrie; the Britons in the meane sea|son being driuen either into Wales and Cornewall, or altogither out of the Iland to séeke new habitati|ons.

In like maner the Danes (the next nation that succéeded) came at the first onelie to pilfer and robbe vpon the frontiers of our Iland,Danes. till that in the end, being let in by the Welshmen or Britons through an earnest desire to be reuenged vpon the Saxons, they no lesse plagued the one than the other, their fréends than their aduersaries, seeking by all meanes possible to establish themselues also in the sure pos|session of Britaine. But such was their successe, that they prospered not long in their deuise: for so great was their lordlinesse, crueltie, and infatiable desire of riches, beside their detestable abusing of chast matrons, and yoong virgins (whose husbands and pa|rents were dailie inforced to become their drudges and slaues, whilest they sat at home and fed like drone bées of the sweet of their trauell and labours) that God I say would not suffer them to continue any while ouer vs, but when he saw his time he remooued their yoke, and gaue vs libertie as it were to breath vs, thereby to see whether this his sharpe scourge could haue mooued vs to repentance and amendment of our lewd and sinfull liues, or not. But when no signe thereof appeared in our hearts, he called in an other nation to vex vs, I meane the Normans,The Nor|mans. a people mixed with Danes, and of whom it is worthilie doubted, whether they were more hard and cruell to our countrimen than the Danes, or more heauie and intollerable to our Iland than the Saxons or the Romans. This nation came out of Newstria, the people thereof were called Nor|mans by the French, bicause the Danes which sub|dued that region, came out of the North parts of the world: neuerthelesse, I suppose that the ancient word Newstria, is corrupted from West-rijc, bi|cause that if you marke the situation, it lieth oppo|site from Austria or Ost-rijc, which is called the East region, as Newstria is the Weast: for Rijc in the old Scithian toong dooth signifie a region or kingdome, as in Franc-rijc, or Franc-reich, Westsaxon-reich, Ost saxon-reich, Su-rijc, Angel-rijc, &c, is else to be séene. But howsoeuer this falleth out, these Normans or Danish French, were dedlie aduersaries to the Eng|lish Saxons, first by meane of a quarell that grew be|twéene them in the daies of Edward the Confessour, at such time as the Earle of Bullen, and William Duke of Normandie, arriued in this land to visit him, & their freends; such Normans (I meane) as came ouer with him and Emma his mother before him, in the time of Canutus and Ethelred. For the first footing that euer the French did set in this Iland, sithence the time of Ethel|bert & Sigebert, was with Emma, which Ladie brought ouer a traine of French Gentlemen and Ladies with hir into England.

After hir also no small numbers of attendants came in with Edward the Confessour, The cause of the conquest by the Nor|mans. whome he pre|ferred to the greatest offices in the realme, in so much that one Robert a Norman, became Archbishop of Canturburie, whose preferment so much enhanced the minds of the French, on the one side, as their lord|lie and outragious demeanour kindled the stomachs of the English nobilitie against them on the other: in|somuch that not long before the death of Emma the kings mother, and vpon occasion of the brall hapning at Douer (whereof I haue made sufficient mention in my Chronologie, not regarding the report of the French authors in this behalfe, who write altogither in the fauour of their Archbishop Robert, but following the authoritie of an English préest then liuing in the court) the English Peeres began to shew their disli|king in manifest maner. Neuerthelesse, the Normans so bewitched the king with their lieng and bosting, Ro|bert the Archbishop being the chéefe instrument of their practise, that he beléeued them, and therevpon vexed sundrie of the nobilitie, amongst whom Earle Good|wijn of Kent was the chéefe, a noble Gentleman and father in law to king Edward by the mariage of his daughter. The matter also came to such issue against him, that he was exiled, and fiue of his sonnes with him, wherevpon he goeth ouer the sea, and soone after returning with his said sonnes, they inuaded the land in sundrie places, the father himselfe comming to Lon|don, where when the kings power was readie to ioine with him in battell, it vtterlie refused so to doo: affir|ming plainelie, that it should be méere follie for one Englishman to fight against another, in the reuenge of Frenchmens quarels: which answer entred so déep|lie into the kings mind, that he was contented to haue the matter heard, and appointing commissioners for that purpose; they concluded at the vpshot, that all the French should depart out of England by a day, few excepted, whom the king should appoint and nominate. By this means therfore Robert the Archbishop,Archbishop of Can. exi|led, and the rest of the French. & of se|cret counsell with the king, was first exiled as princi|pall abuser & seducer of the king, who goeth to Rome, & there complaineth to the Pope of his iniurie receiued by the English. Howbeit as he returned home a|gaine with no small hope of the readeption of his See, he died in Normandie, whereby he saued a killing. Cer|tes he was the first that euer tendered complaint out of England vnto Rome, & with him went William Bi|shop of London (afterward reuoked) and Vlfo of Lin|colne, who hardlie escaped the furie of the English no|bilitie. Some also went into Scotland, and there held themselues, expecting a better time. And this is the true historie of the originall cause of the conquest of Eng|land by the French: for after they were well beaten at Douer, bicause of their insolent demeanour there shewed, their harts neuer ceased to boile with a desire of reuenge that brake out into a flame, so soone as their Robert possessed the primacie, which being once obtei|ned, and to set his mischéefe intended abroch withall, a contention was quicklie procured about certeine Kentish lands, and controuersie kindled, whether he or the Earle should haue most right vnto them. The king held with the priest as with the church, the nobilitie with the Earle. In processe also of this businesse,Erle Good|wine slande|red by the French wri|ters. the Archbi|shop accused the Earle of high treason, burdening him with the slaughter of Alfred the kings brother, which was altogither false: as appeareth by a treatise yet extant of that matter, written by a chaplaine to king Edward the Confessour, in the hands of Iohn Stow my verie fréend, wherein he saith thus, Alfredus incautè agens in aduentu suo in Angliam a Danis circumuen|tus occiditur. He addeth moreouer, that giuing out as he came through the countrie accompanied with his few proud Normans, how his meaning was to recouer his right vnto the kingdome, and supposing that all men would haue yéelded vnto him, he fell into their hands, whome Harald then king did send to apprehend him, vpon the fame onelie of this report brought vnto his eares. So that (to be short) after the king had made his pacification with the Earle, the French (I say) were exiled, the Quéene restored to his fauour (whom he at the beginning of this broile had imprisoned at Wilton, allowing hir but one onlie maid to wait vpon hir) and the land reduced to hir former quietnesse, which conti|nued vntill the death of the king. After which the Nor|mans not forgetting their old grudge, remembred still their quarell, that in the end turned to their conquest of this Iland. After which obteined, they were so cruellie bent to our vtter subuersion and ouerthrow, that in the beginning it was lesse reproch to be accoun|ted a slaue than an Englishman,The miserie of the Eng|lish vnder the French. or a drudge in anie filthie businesse than a Britaine: insomuch that eue|rie French page was superiour to the greatest Peere; and the losse of an Englishmans life but a pastime to such of them as contended in their brauerie, who should giue the greatest strokes or wounds vnto their bodies, when their toiling and drudgerie could not please them, or satisfie their gréedie humors. Yet such was our lot in those daies by the diuine appointed order, that we must needs obey such as the Lord did set ouer vs, and so much the rather, for that all power to resist was vtterlie ta|ken from vs, and our armes made so weake and feeble that they were not now able to remooue the importable load of the enimie from our surburdened shoulders. And this onelie I saie againe,The cause of our miserie. bicause we refused grace offered in time, and would not heare when God by his Preachers did call vs so fauourablie vnto him. Oh how miserable was the estate of our countrie vnder the French and Normans, wherein the Brittish and English that remained, could not be called to any func|tion in the commonwealth, no not so much as to be con|stables and headburowes in small villages, except they could bring 2. or 3. Normans for suerties to the Lords of the soile for their good behauiour in their offices! Oh what numbers of all degrées of English and Brittish were made slaues and bondmen, and bought and sold as oxen in open market! In so much that at the first comming, the French bond were set free; and those that afterward became bond, were of our owne coun|trie and nation, so that few or rather none of vs re|mained free without some note of bondage and ser|uitude to the French. Hereby then we perceiue, how from time to time this Iland hath not onelie béene a prey, but as it were a common receptacle for strangers, the naturall homelings or Britons being still cut shorter and shorter, as I said before, till in the end they came not onelie to be driuen into a corner of this region,In this voi|age the said Harald buil|ded Porta|schith, which Caradoch ap Griffin afterward ouerthrew, and killed the garrison that Ha|rald left therein. but in time also verie like vtterlie to haue beene extinguished. For had not king Edward, surna|med the saint, in his time, after greeuous wars made vpon them 1063. (wherein Harald latelie made Earle of Oxenford, sonne to Goodwin Earle of Kent, and af|ter king of England, was his generall) permitted the remnant of their women to ioine in mariage with the Englishmen (when the most part of their husbands and male children were slaine with the sword) it could not haue béene otherwise chosen, but their whole race must needs haue susteined the vttermost confusion, and there|by the memorie of the Britons vtterlie haue perished a|mong vs.

Thus we see how England hath six times beene subiect to the reproch of conquest. And wheras the Scots séeme to challenge manie famous victories also ouer vs, be|side gréeuous impositions, tributs, & dishonorable com|positions: it shall suffice for answer, that they deale in this as in the most part of their historie, which is to seeke great honor by lieng, & great renowme by prating and craking. Indeed they haue doone great mischéefe in this Iland, & with extreme crueltie; but as for any conquest the first is yet to heare of. Diuers other conquests also haue béene pretended by sundrie princes sithence the conquest, onelie to the end that all pristinate lawes and tenures of possession might cease, and they make a new disposition of all things at their owne pleasure. As one by king Edw. the 3. but it tooke none effect. An|other by Henrie the 4. who neuerthelesse was at the last though hardlie drawne from the challenge by William Thorington, then cheefe Iustice of England. The third by Henrie the 7. who had some better shew of right, but yet without effect. And the last of all by Q. Marie, as some of the papists gaue out, and also would haue had hir to haue obtained, but God also staied their mali|ces, and hir challenge. But beside the six afore menti|oned, Huntingdon the old historiographer speaketh of a seuenth, likelie (as he saith) to come one daie out of the North, which is a wind that bloweth no man to good, sith nothing is to be had in those parts, but hunger & much cold. Sée more hereof in the historie of S. Albons, and aforsaid author which lieth on the left side of the librarie belonging now to Paules: for I regard no prophesies as one that doubteth from what spirit they doo procéed, or who should be the author of them.

_WHat language came first withBritish. Samothes and afterward with Albion, and the giants of his companie, it is hard for me to determine, sith nothing of sound credit remaineth in writing, which may resolue vs in the truth hereof. Yet of so much are we certeine,Small dif|ference be|tweene the British and Celtike lan|guages. that the speach of the ancient Britons, and of the Celts, had great affinitie one with another, so that they were either all one, or at leastwise such as ei|ther nation with small helpe of interpretors might vn|derstand other, and readilie discerne what the speaker meant. Some are of the opinion that the Celts spake Greeke, and how the British toong resembled the same, which was spoken in Grecia before Homer did reforme it: but I see that these men doo speake without authori|tie and therefore I reiect them, for if the Celts which were properlie called Galles did speake Gréeke, why did Cesar in his letters sent to Rome vse that lan|guage, because that if they should be intercepted they might not vnderstand them, or why did he not vnder|stand the Galles, he being so skilfull in the language without an interpretor? Yet I denie not but that the Celtish and British speaches might haue great affini|tie one with another, and the British aboue all other with the Greeke, for both doo appéere by certeine words, as first in tri for three, march for an horsse, & trimarchia, whereof Pausanias speaketh, for both. Atheneus also wri|teth of Bathanasius a capitaine of the Galles, whose name is méere British, compounded of Bath & Ynad, & signifieth a noble or comelie iudge. And wheras he saith that the reliques of the Galles tooke vp their first dwelling about Isther, and afterward diuided them|selues in such wise, that they which went and dwelled in Hungarie were called Sordsai, and the other that inhabited within the dominion of Tyroll) Brenni, whose seate was on the mount Brenhere parcell of the Alpes, what else signifieth the word Iscaredich in Bri|tish, from whence the word Scordisci commeth, but to be diuided? Hereby then, and sundrie other the like testi|monies, I gather that the British and the Celtish spea|ches had great affinitie one with another, as I said, which Cesar (speaking of the similitude or likenesse of religion in both nations) doth also auerre, & Tacitus in vita Agricolae, in like sort plainlie affirmeth, or else it must needs be that the Galles which inuaded Italie and Greece were meere Britons, of whose likenes of speech with the Gréeke toong I need not make anie triall, sith no man (I hope) will readilie denie it. Appianus tal|king of the Brenni calleth them Cymbres, and by this I gather also that the Celts and the Britons were in|differentlie called Cymbri in their owne language, or else that the Britons were the right Cymbri, who vnto this daie doo not refuse to be called by that name. Bodinus writing of the meanes by which the originall of euerie kingdome and nation is to be had and discer|ned, setteth downe thrée waies whereby the knowledge thereof is to be found, one is (saith he) the infallible te|stimonie of the sound writers, the other the description and site of the region, the third the relikes of the anci|ent speech remaining in the same. Which later if it be of any force, then I must conclude, that the spéech of the Britons and Celts was sometime either all one or ve|rie like one to another, or else it must follow that the Britons ouerflowed the continent vnder the name of Cymbres, being peraduenture associat in this voiage, or mixed by inuasion with the Danes, and Norwegi|ens, who are called Cymbri and Cymmerij, as most writers doo remember. This also is euident (as Plutarch likewise confesseth In vita Mary) that no man knew from whence the Cymbres came in his daies, and ther|fore I illegible eeue that they came out of Britaine, for all the maine was well knowne vnto them, I meane euen to the vttermost part of the north, as may appeare fur|thermore by the slaues which were dailie brought from thence vnto them, whom of their countries they called Daui for Daci, Getae for Gothes, &c for of their con|quests I need not make rehearsall, sith they are com|monlie knowne and remembred by the writers, both of the Greekes and Latines.

The British toong called Camberaec dooth yet re|maine in that part of the Iland,British corrupted by the La|tine and Saxon spee|ches. which is now called Wales, whither the Britons were driuen after the Sarons had made a full conquest of the other, which we now call England, although the pristinate integritie thereof be not a little diminished by mixture of the Latine and Saxon speaches withall. Howbeit, manie poesies and writings (in making whereof that nation hath euermore delited) are yet extant in my time, wher|by some difference betwéene the ancient and present language may easilie be discerned, notwithstanding that among all these there is nothing to be found, which can set downe anie sound and full testimonie of their owne originall, in remembrance whereof, their Bards and cunning men haue béene most slacke and negli|gent. Giraldus in praising the Britons affirmeth that there is not one word in all their language, that is not either Gréeke or Latine. Which being rightly vnder|standed and conferred with the likenesse that was in old time betwéene the Celts & the British toongs, will not a little helpe those that thinke the old Celtish to haue some fauour of the Gréeke. But how soeuer that matter standeth, after the British speach came once o|uer into this Iland, sure it is, that it could neuer be ex|tinguished for all the attempts that the Romans, Saxons, Normans, and Englishmen could make a|gainst that nation, in anie maner of wise.

Petigrées and genealogies also the Welsh Britons haue plentie in their owne toong,The Bri|tons dili|gent in pe|tigrees. insomuch that manie of them can readilie deriue the same, either from Brute or some of his band, euen vnto Aeneas and other of the Troians, and so foorth vnto Noah without anie maner of stop. But as I know not what credit is to be giuen vnto them in this behalfe, although I must néeds con|fesse that their ancient Bards were verie diligent in there collection, and had also publike allowance or sa|larie for the same; so I dare not absolutelie impugne their assertions, sith that in times past all nations (lear|ning it no doubt of the Hebrues) did verie solemnelie preserue the catalogs of their descents, thereby either to shew themselues of ancient and noble race, or else to be descended from some one of the gods. But Stemmata quid faciunt? quid prodest Pontice longo Sanguine censeri? aut quid auorum ducere turmas? &c.

Next vnto the British speach,Latine. the Latine toong was brought in by the Romans, and in maner generallie planted through the whole region, as the French was after by the Normans. Of this toong I will not say much, bicause there are few which be not skilfull in the same. Howbeit, as the speach it selfe is easie and d illegible le|ctable, so hath it peruerted the names of the ancient ri|uers, regions, & cities of Britaine in such wise, that in these our daies their old British denominations are quite growne out of memorie, and yet those of the new Latine left as most vncertaine. This remaineth also vnto my time, borowed from the Romans, that all our déeds, euidences, charters, & writings of record, are set downe in the Latine toong, though now verie barba|rous, and therevnto the copies and court-rolles, and processes of courts and leets registred in the same.

The third language apparantlie knowne is the Sci|thian or high Dutch,The Saxon toong. induced at the first by the Saxons (which the Britons call Saysonaec, as they doo the spea|kers Sayson) an hard and rough kind of speach, God wot, when our nation was brought first into acquain|tance withall, but now changed with vs into a farre more fine and easie kind of vtterance, and so polished and helped with new and milder words, that it is to be aduouched how there is no one speach vnder the sunne spoken in our time, that hath or can haue more varietie of words, copie of phrases, or figures and floures of elo|quence, than hath our English toong, although some haue affirmed vs rather to barke as dogs, than talke like men, bicause the most of our words (as they doo in|déed) incline vnto one syllable. This also is to be noted as a testimonie remaining still of our language, deri|ued from the Saxons, that the generall name for the most part of euerie skilfull artificer in his trade endeth in Here with vs, albeit the H be left out, and er onlie in|serted, as Scriuenhere, writehere, shiphere, &c: for scri|uener, writer, and shipper, &c: beside manie other re|likes of that spéech, neuer to be abolished.

After the Saxon toong,The French toong. came the Norman or French language ouer into our countrie, and therein were our lawes written for a long time. Our children also were by an especiall decrée taught first to speake the same, and therevnto inforced to learne their constructions in the French, whensoeuer they were set to the Grammar schoole. In like sort few bishops, abbats, or other clergie men, were admitted vnto anie ecclesiasticall function here among vs, but such as came out of religious hou|ses from beyond the seas, to the end they should not vse the English toong in their sermons to the people. In the court also it grew into such contempt, that most men thought it no small dishonor to speake any English there. Which brauerie tooke his hold at the last likewise in the countrie with euerie plowman, that euen the ve|rie carters began to wax wearie of there mother toong, & laboured to speake French, which as then was coun|ted no small token of gentilitie. And no maruell, for e|uerie French rascall, when he came once hither, was taken for a gentleman, onelie bicause he was proud, and could vse his owne language, and all this (I say) to exile the English and British speaches quite out of the countrie. But in vaine, for in the time of king Edward the first, to wit, toward the latter end of his reigne, the French it selfe ceased to be spoken generallie, but most of all and by law in the midst of Edward the third, and then began the English to recouer and grow in more estimation than before; notwithstanding that among our artificers, the most part of their implements, tooles and words of art reteine still their French denomina|tions euen to these our daies, as the language it selfe is vsed likewise in sundrie courts, bookes of record, and matters of law; whereof here is no place to make any particular rehearsall. Afterward also, by diligent tra|uell of Geffray Chaucer, The helpers of our Eng|lish toong. and Iohn Gowre, in the time of Richard the second, and after them of Iohn Scogan, and Iohn Lydgate monke of Berrie, our said toong was brought to an excellent passe, notwithstanding that it neuer came vnto the type of perfection, vntill the time of Quéene Elizabeth, wherein Iohn Iewell B. of Sarum, Iohn Fox, and sundrie learned & excellent wri|ters haue fullie accomplished the ornature of the same, to their great praise and immortall commendation; although not a few other doo greatlie séeke to staine the same, by fond affectation of forren and strange words, presuming that to be the best English, which is most cor|rupted with externall termes of eloquence, and sound of manie syllables. But as this excellencie of the Eng|lish toong is found in one, and the south part of this I|land; so in Wales the greatest number (as I said) re|taine still their owne ancient language, that of the north part of the said countrie being lesse corrupted than the other, and therefore reputed for the better in their owne estimation and iudgement. This also is proper to vs Englishmen,Englishmen apt to learne any forren toong. that sith ours is a meane language, and neither too rough nor too smooth in vtte|rance, we may with much facilitie learne any other language, beside Hebrue, Gréeke & Latine, and speake it naturallie, as if we were home-borne in those coun|tries; & yet on the other side it falleth out, I wot not by what other meanes, that few forren nations can right|lie pronounce ours, without some and that great note of imperfection, especiallie the French men, who also seldome write any thing that sauoreth of English tru|lie. It is a pastime to read how Natalis Comes in like maner, speaking of our affaires, dooth clip the names of our English lords. But this of all the rest dooth bréed most admiration with me, that if any stranger doo hit vpon some likelie pronuntiation of our toong, yet in age he swarueth so much from the same, that he is woorse therein than euer he was, and thereto peraduen|ture halteth not a litle also in his owne, as I haue séene by experience in Reginald Wolfe, and other, whereof I haue iustlie maruelled.

The Cornish and Deuonshire men,The Cor|nish toong. whose countrie the Britons call Cerniw, haue a speach in like sort of their owne, and such as hath in déed more affinitie with the Armoricane toong than I can well discusse of. Yet in mine opinion, they are both but a corrupted kind of British, albeit so far degenerating in these daies from the old, that if either of them doo méete with a Welsh|man, they are not able at the first to vnderstand one an other, except here and there in some od words, without the helpe of interpretors. And no maruell in mine opi|nion that the British of Cornewall is thus corrupted, sith the Welsh toong that is spoken in the north & south part of Wales, doth differ so much in it selfe, as the En|glish vsed in Scotland dooth from that which is spo|ken among vs here in this side of the Iland, as I haue said alreadie.

The Scottish englishScottish english. hath beene much broader and lesse pleasant in vtterance than ours, because that na|tion hath not till of late indeuored to bring the same to any perfect order, and yet it was such in maner, as Englishmen themselues did speake for the most part beyond the Trent, whither any great amendement of our language had not as then extended it selfe. How|beit in our time the Scottish language endeuoreth to come neere, if not altogither to match our toong in fine|nesse of phrase, and copie of words, and this may in part appeare by an historie of the Apocrip illegible a translated into Scottish verse by Hudson, dedicated to the king of that countrie, and conteining sixe books, except my me|morie doo faile me.

Thus we sée how that vnder the dominion of the king of England, and in the south parts of the realme, we haue thrée seuerall toongs, that is to saie, English, Bri|tish, and Cornish, and euen so manie are in Scotland, if you accompt the English speach for one: notwith|standing that for bredth and quantitie of the region, I meane onelie of the soile of the maine Iland, it be some|what lesse to see to than the other. For in the north part of the region, where the wild Scots,The wild Scots. otherwise called the Redshanks, or rough footed ScotsRedshanks. Rough foo|ted Scots. (because they go bare footed and clad in mantels ouer their saffron shirts af|ter the Irish maner) doo inhabit,Irish scots. Irish speech. they speake good Irish which they call Gachtlet, as they saie of one Gathelus, whereby they shew their originall to haue in times past béene fetched out of Ireland: as I noted also in the cha|piter precedent, and wherevnto Vincentius cap. de insulis Oceani dooth yéeld his assent, saieng that Ireland was in time past called Scotia; Scotia eadem (saith he) & Hiber|nia, proxima Britanniae insula, spatio terrarum angustior, sed si|tu foecundior; Scotia autem à Scotorum gentibus traditur appella|ta, &c. Out of the 14. booke of Isidorus intituled Origi|num, where he also addeth that it is called Hybernia, be|cause it bendeth toward Iberia. But I find elsewhere that it is so called by certeine Spaniards which came to seeke and plant their inhabitation in the same, wher|of in my Chronologie I haue spoken more at large.

In the Iles of the Orchades, or Orkeney, as we now call them, & such coasts of Britaine as doo abbut vpon the same, the Gottish or Danish speach is altogither in vse, and also in Shetland, by reason (as I take it) that the princes of Norwaie held those Ilands so long vn|der their subiection, albeit they were otherwise reputed as rather to belong to Ireland, bicause that the verie soile of them is enimie to poison, as some write, al|though for my part I had neuer any sound experience of the truth hereof. And thus much haue I thought good to speake of our old speaches, and those fiue languages now vsuallie spoken within the limits of our Iland.

_IT is not to be doubted,Britaine at the first one entire king|dome. but that at the first, the whole Iland was ruled by one onelie prince, and so continued from time to time, vntill ciuill discord, grounded vpõ ambitious desire to reigne, caused the same to be gouerned by diuerse. And this I meane so well of the time before the comming of Brute, as af|ter the extinction of his whole race & posteritie. Howbe|it, as it is vncerteine into how manie regions it was seuered, after the first partition; so it is most sure that this latter disturbed estate of regiment, continued in the same, not onelie vntill the time of Caesar, but also in maner vnto the daies of Lucius, with whome the whole race of the Britons had an end, and the Romans full possession of this Iland, who gouerned it by Legats after the maner of prouince. It should séeme also that within a while after the time of Dunwallon (who ra|ther brought those foure princes that vsurped in his time to obedience, than extinguished their titles, & such partition as they had made of the Iland among them|selues) each great citie had hir fréedome and seuerall kind of regiment, proper vnto hir selfe, beside a large circuit of the countrie appertinent vnto the same, wherein were sundrie other cities also of lesse name, which owght homage and all subiection vnto the great|ter sort. And to saie truth, hereof it came to passe, that each of these regions, whereinto this Iland was then diuided, tooke his name of some one of these cities; al|though Ciuitas after Caesar doth sometime signifie an whole continent or kingdome, whereby there were in old time Tot ciuitates quot regna, and contrariwise as may appeare by that of the Trinobantes, which was so called of Trinobantum the chiefe citie of that portion, whose territories conteined all Essex, Middlesex, and part of Hertfordshire, euen as the iurisdiction of the bishop of London is now extended, for the ouersight of such things as belong vnto the church. Ech of the go|uernors also of these regions, called themselues kings, and therevnto either of them dailie made warre vpon other, for the inlarging of their limits. But for somuch as I am not able to saie how manie did challenge this authoritie at once, and how long they reigned ouer their seuerall portions, I will passe ouer these ancient times, and come néerer vnto our owne, I meane the 600. yéere of Christ, whereof we haue more certeine no|tice, & at which season there is euident proofe, that there were twelue or thirtéene kings reigning in this Iland.

We find therefore for the first, how that Wales had hir thrée seuerall kingdomes,Wales di|uided into three king|domes. which being accompted togither conteined (as Giraldus saith) 49. cantreds or cantons (whereof thrée were in his time possessed by the French and English) although that whole portion of the Iland extended in those daies no farder than a|bout 200. miles in length, and one hundred in bredth, and was cut from Lhoegres by the riuers Sauerne and Dée, of which two streames this dooth fall into the Irish sea at Westchester, the other into the maine O|cean, betwixt Somersetshire and Southwales, as their seuerall courses shall witnesse more at large.

In the begining it was diuided into two kingdoms onelie, that is to saie, Venedotia or Gwynhedh G illegible inhed. (other|wise called Dehenbarth) and Demetia, for which we now vse most cõmonlie the names of South & North|wales. But in a short processe of time a third sprung vp in the verie middest betwéene them both, which from thence-foorth was called Powisy, as shalbe shewed here|after. For Roderijc the great, who flourished 850. of Christ, and was king of all Wales (which then contei|ned onlie six regions) leauing thrée sons behind him, by his last will & testament diuided the countrie into thrée portions, according to the number of his children, of which he assigned one vnto either of them, wherby Mor|wing or Morwinner had Gwynhedh or Northwales, Cadelh Demetia or Southwales, and Anaralt Powisy, as Giraldus and other doo remember. Howbeit it came to passe that after this diuision, Cadelh suruiued all his brethren, and thereby became lord of both their porti|ons, and his successors after him vntill the time of Teu|ther or Theodor (all is one) after which they were con|tended to kéepe themselues within the compasse of De|metia, which (as I said) conteined 29. of those 49. can|treds before mentioned, as Powisy did six, and Gwin|hedh fouretéene, except my memorie doo faile me.

The first of these thrée, being called as (I said) North|wales or Venedotia Venedotia. (or as Paulus Iouius saith Malfa|brene, for he diuideth Wales also into thrée regions, of which he calleth the first Dumbera, the second Berfrona, and the third Malfabrene) lieth directlie ouer against the Ile of Anglesei, the chiefe citie whereof stood in the Ile of AnglesetAnglesei. and was called Aberfraw. It conteineth 4. regions, of which the said Iland is the first, and whereof in the chapter insuing I will intreate more at large. The second is called Arfon,Arfon. and situate betwéene two riuers,Merioneth. the Segwy and the Conwy. The third is Me|rioneth, and as it is seuered from Arfon by the Con|wy, so is it separated from TegeniaStradcluyd or Tegenia. (otherwise called Stradcluyd and Igenia the fourth region) by the riuer Cluda. Finallie, the limits of this latter are extended also euen vnto the Dée it selfe, and of these foure regi|ons consisteth the kingdome of Venedotia, whereof in times past the region of the Canges was not the smal|lest portion.

The kingdome of Powisy, last of all erected,Powisy. as I said, hath on the north side Gwinhedh, on the east (from Chester to Hereford, or rather to Deane forest) Eng|land, on the south and west the riuer Wy and verie high hilles, whereby it is notablie seuered from South|wales, the chiefe citie thereof being at the first Salops|burg, in old time Pengwerne, and Ynwithig, but now Shrowesburie, a citie or towne raised out of the ruines of Vricouium, which (standing 4. miles from thence, and by the Saxons called Wrekencester and Wroke|cester, before they ouerthrew it) is now inhabited with méere English, and where in old time the kings of Powisy did dwell and hold their palaces, till English|men draue them from thence to Matrauall in the same prouince, where they from thencefoorth aboad. Upon the limits of this kingdome, and not far from Holt ca|stell, upon ech side of the riuer, as the chanell now run|neth, stood sometime the famous monasterie of Ban|gor,Bangor. whilest the abated glorie of the Britons yet remai|ned vnextinguished, and herein were 2100. monkes, of which, the learned sort did preach the Gospell, and the vnlearned labored with their hands, thereby to main|teine themselues, and to sustaine their preachers. This region was in like sort diuided afterward in twaine, of which,Mailrosse. the one was called Mailor or Mailrosse, the other reteined still hir old denomination, and of these the first laie by south, & the latter by north of the Sauerne.

As touching Mailrosse, I read moreouer in the gests of Fowkes de Warren, Fowkes de Warren. how that one William sonne to a certeine ladie sister to Paine Peuerell, the first lord of Whittington, after the conquest did win a part of the same, and the hundred of Ellesmore from the Welshmen, in which enterprise he was so desperat|lie wounded, that no man hight him life; yet at the last by eating of the shield of a wild bore, he got an appetite and recouered his health. This William had issue two daughters,Helene. Mellent. to wit, Helene maried to the heire of the Alans, and Mellent which refused mariage with anie man, except he were frist tried to be a knight of prow|esse. Herevpon hir father made proclamation, that a|gainst such a daie & at such a place, whatsoeuer Gentle|man could shew himselfe most valiant in the field, should marrie Mellent his daughter, & haue with hir his castell of Whittington with sufficient liueliehood to mainteine their estates for euer. This report being spred, Fowkes de Warren came thither all in red, with a shield of siluer and pecocke for his crest, whereof he was called the red knight, and there ouercomming the kings sonne of Scotland, and a Baron of Burgundie, he maried the maid, and by hir had issue as in the trea|tise appeareth. There is yet great mention of the red knight in the countrie there about; and much like vnto this Mellent was the daughter sometime of one of the lord Rosses, called Kudall, who bare such good will to Fitz-Henrie clarke of hir fathers kitchen,The origi|nall of Fitz-Henries. that she made him carie hir awaie on horssebacke behind him, onlie for his manhood sake, which presentlie was tried. For being pursued & ouer taken, she made him light, & held his cloke whilest he killed and draue hir fathers men to flight: and then awaie they go, till hir father conceiuing a good opinion of Fitz-Henrie for this act, receiued him to his fauour, whereby that familie came vp. And thus much (by the waie) of Mailrosse, whereof this may suffice, sith mine intent is not as now to make anie precise description of the particulars of Wales; but onelie to shew how those regions laie, which sometime were knowne to be gouerned in that countrie.Demetia. The third kingdome is Demetia, or South|wales, sometime knowne for the region of the Syl|lures, wherevnto I also am persuaded, that the Ordo|lukes laie in the east part thereof, and extended their re|gion euen vnto the Sauerne: but howsoeuer that mat|ter falleth out, Demetia hath the Sauerne on hir south, the Irish sea on hir west parts, on the east the Sauerne onelie, and by north the land of Powisy, whereof I spake of late.

Of this region also Caermarden, which the old wri|ters call Maridunum, Cair Mari|dunum. was the chéefe citie and palace belonging to the kings of Southwales, vntill at the last through forren and ciuill inuasions of enimies, the princes thereof were constrained to remooue their courts to Dinefar (which is in Cantermawr, and si|tuate neuerthelesse vpon the same riuer Tewy, wher|on Caermarden standeth) in which place it is far better defended with high hils, thicke woods, craggie rocks, and déepe marises. In this region also lieth Pembroke aliàs Penmoroc shire, whose fawcons haue béene in old time very much regarded, and therein likewise in Mil|ford hauen, whereof the Welsh wisards doo yet dreame strange toies, which they beleeue shall one daie come to passe. For they are a nation much giuen to fortelling of things to come, but more to beléeue such blind pro|phesies as haue béene made of old time, and no man is accompted for learned in Wales that is not supposed to haue the spirit of prophesie.

That Scotland had in those daies two kingdoms,Pictland. Scotland. Picts. Scots. (besides that of the Orchades) whereof the one consisted of the Picts, and was called Pightland or Pictland, the other of the Irish race, and named Scotland: I hope no wise man will readilie denie. The whole region or portion of the Ile beyond the Scotish sea also was so diuided, that the Picts laie on the east side, and the Scots on the west, ech of them being seuered from o|ther, either by huge hils or great lakes and riuers, that ran out of the south into the north betwéene them. It séemeth also that at the first these two kingdoms were diuided from the rest of those of the Britons by the ri|uers Cluda and Forth, till both of them desirous to in|large their dominions, draue the Britons ouer the Solue and the Twede, which then became march be|twéene both the nations. Wherefore the case being so plaine, I will saie no more of these two, but procéed in order with the rehersall of the rest of the particular-kingdoms of this our south part of the Ile, limiting out the same by shires as they now lie, so néere as I can, for otherwise it shall be vnpossible for me to leaue certaine notice of the likeliest quantities of these their seuerall portions.

The first of these kingdoms therefore was begunne in Kent by Henghist in the 456. of Christ,Kent Hen|ghist. and thereof called the kingdome of Kent or Cantwarland, and as the limits thereof extended it selfe no farther than the said countie (the cheefe citie whereof was Dorobernia or Cantwarbyry now Canturburie) so it indured well néere by the space of 400. yeares, before it was made and earledome or Heretochie, and vnited by Inas vnto that of the West Saxons, Athelstane his sonne, being the first Earle or Heretoch of the same. Maister Lam|bert in his historie of Kent dooth gather, by verie proba|ble coniectures, that this part of the Iland was first in|habited by Samothes, and afterward by Albion. But howsoeuer that case standeth, sure it is that it hath béen the onlie doore, whereby the Romans and Saxons made their entrie vnto the conquest of the region, but first of all Caesar, who entred into this Iland vpon the eightéenth Cal. or 14. of September, which was foure daies before the full of the moone, as he himselfe confes|seth, and then fell out about the 17. or 18. of that mo|neth, twelue daies before the equinoctiall (apparant) so that he did not tarrie at that time aboue eight or ten daies in Britaine. And as this platforme cannot be de|nied for his entrance, so the said region and east part of Kent, was the onelie place by which the knowledge of Christ was first brought ouer vnto vs, whereby we became partakers of saluation, and from the darke|nesse of mistie errour, true conuerts vnto the light and bright beames of the shining truth, to our eternall be|nefit and euerlasting comforts.

The second kingdome conteined onelie Sussex,South sax Esta. and a part of (or as some saie all) Surrie, which Ella the Saxon first held: who also erected his chéefe palace at Chichester, when he had destroied Andredswald in the 492. of Christ. And after it had continued by the space of 232. years, it ceased, being the verie least kingdome of all the rest, which were founded in this Ile after the comming of the Saxons (for to saie truth, it conteined little aboue 7000. families) & within a while after the erection of the kingdome of the Gewisses or West sax|ons, notwithstanding that before the kings of Sussex pretended and made claime to all that which laie west of Kent, and south of the Thames, vnto the point of Corinwall, as I haue often read.

The third regiment was of the East Saxons,Eastsa illegible . Erkenwiin. or Trinobantes. This kingdome began vnder Erken|wijn, whose chéefe seat was in London (or rather Col|chester) and conteined whole Essex, Middlesex, and part of Herfordshire. It indured also much about the pricke of 303. yeares, and was diuided from that of the East Angles onlie by the riuer Stoure, as Houeden and o|thers doo report, & so it continueth separated from Suf|folke euen vnto our times, although the said riuer be now growne verie small, and not of such greatnesse as it hath béene in times past, by reason that our countrie|men make small accompt of riuers, thinking carriage made by horsse and cart to be the lesse chargeable waie. But herin how far they are deceiued, I will else-where make manifest declaration.

The fourth kingdome was of the West Saxons,Westsax. and so called, bicause it laie in the west part of the realme, as that of Essex did in the east, and of Sussex in the south. It began in the yeare of Grace 519. vn|der Cerdije,Cerdiic. and indured vntill the comming of the Normans, including at the last all Wiltshire, Bar ke|shire, Dorset, Southampton, Somersetshire, Glocester+shire, some part of Deuonshire (which the Britons occu|pied not) Cornewall, and the rest of Surrie, as the best authors doo set downe. At the first it conteined onelie Wiltshire, Dorcetshire, and Barkeshire, but yer long the princes thereof conquered whatsoeuer the kings of Sussex and the Britons held vnto the point of Corne|wall, and then became first Dorchester (vntill the time of Kinigils) then Winchester the chéefe citie of that kingdome. For when Birinus the moonke came into England, the said Kinigils gaue him Dorchester, and all the land within seauen miles about, toward the maintenance of his cathedrall sea, by meanes where|of he himselfe remooued his palace to Winchester.

The first kingdome began vnder Ida,Brennicia, aliàs Nor|thumber|land. Ida. in the 548. of Christ, and was called Northumberland, bicause it laie by north of the riuer Humber. And from the comming of Henghist to this Ida, it was onlie gouerned by earls or Heretoches as an Heretochy, till the said Ida conuer|ted it into a kingdome. It conteined all that region which (as it should séeme) was in time past either wholie apperteining to the Brigants; or whereof the said Bri|gants did possesse the greater part. The cheefe citie of the same in like maner was Yorke, as Beda, Capgraue, Leyland, and others doo set downe, who ad thereto that it extended from the Humber vnto the Scotish sea, vn|till the slaughter of Egfride of the Northumbers, after which time the Picts gat hold of all, betweene the Forth and the Twede, which afterward descending to the Scots by meanes of the vtter destruction of the Picts, hath not béene sithens vnited to the crowne of England, nor in possession of the meere English, as before time it had béene. Such was the crueltie of these Picts also in their recouerie of the same, that at a cer|teine houre they made a Sicilien euensong, and slew euerie English man, woman and child, that they could laie hold vpon within the aforesaid region, but some es|caped narrowlie, and saued themselues by flight.

Afterward in the yeare of Grace 560. it was parted in twaine,Deira. Ella. vnder Adda, that yeelded vp all his portion, which lay betweene Humber and the Tine vnto his brother Ella (according to their fathers appointment) who called it Deira, or Southumberland, but reteining the rest still vnto his owne vse, he diminished not his title, but wrote himselfe as before king of all Northum|berland. Howbeit after 91. yeares, it was revnited a|gaine, and so continued vntill Alfred annexed the whole to his kingdome, in the 331. after Ida, or 878. of the birth of Iesus Christ our Sauiour.

The seauenth kingdome,Eastangles Offa, à quo Offlingae. called of the East-angles, began at Norwich in the 561. after Christ, vnder Of|fa, of whom the people of that region were long time called Offlings. This included all Norfolke, Suffolke, Cambridgeshire, and Elie, and continuing 228. yeares, it flourished onelie 35. yeares in perfect estate of liber|te, the rest being consumed vnder the tribut and vassal|lage of the Mercians, who had the souereigntie thereof, and held it with great honour, till the Danes gat hold of it, who spoiled it verie sore, so that it became more miserable than any of the other, and so remained till the kings of the West-saxons vnited it to their crownes. Some saie that Grantcester, but now Cambridge (a towne erected out of hir ruines) was the chéefe citie of this kingdome, and not Norwich. Wherein I may well shew the discord of writers, but I cannot resolue the scruple. Some take this region also to be all one with that of the Icenes, but as yet for my part I cannot yeeld to their assertions, I meane it of Leland himselfe, whose helpe I vse chéefelie in these collections, albeit in this behalfe I am not resolued that he doth iudge aright.

The 8. & last was that of Mertia, which indured 291. yeares, and for greatnesse exceeded all the rest. It tooke the name either of Mearc the Saxon word, bicause it was march to the rest (and trulie, the limits of most of the other kingdomes abutted vpon the same) or else for that the lawes of Martia the Queene were first vsed in that part of the Iland.Mertia. Creodda. But as this later is but a méere coniecture of some, so the said kingdome began vnder Creodda, in the 585. of Christ, & indured well néere 300. yeares before it was vnited to that of the West-saxons by Alfred, then reigning in this Ile. Before him the Danes had gotten hold thereof, and placed one Ceo|lulph an idiot in the same; but as he was soone reiec|ted for his follie, so it was not long after yer the said Alfred (I saie) annexed it to his kingdome by his man|hood. The limits of the Mertian dominions included Lincolne,Limits of Mertia. Northampton, Chester, Darbie, Notting|ham, Stafford, Huntington, Rutland, Oxford, Buc|kingham, Worcester, Bedford shires, and the greatest part of Shropshire (which the Welsh occupied not) Lan|caster, Glocester, Hereford (aliàs Hurchford) Warwijc and Hertford shires: the rest of whose territories were holden by such princes of other kingdomes through force as bordered vpon the same. Moreouer, this king|dome was at one time diuided into south and north Mertia, whereof this laie beyond and the other on this side of the Trent, which later also Oswald of Northum|berland did giue to Weada the sonne of Penda for kindred sake, though he not long inioied it. This also is worthie to be noted, that in these eight kingdomes of the Saxons, there were twelue princes reputed in the popish Catalog for saints or martyrs, of which Alci|mund, Edwine, Oswald, Oswijn and Aldwold reigned in Northumberland; Sigebert, Ethelbert, Edmond, and another Sigebert among the Estangels; Kenelme and Wistan in Mertia; and Saint Edward the confessor, ouer all; but how worthilie, I referre me to the iudge|ment of the learned. Thus much haue I thought good to leaue in memorie of the aforesaid kingdomes: and now will I speake somewhat of the diuision of this I|land also into prouinces, as the Romanes seuered it whiles they remained in these parts. Which being done, I hope that I haue discharged whatsoeuer is promised in the title of this chapter.

The Romans therefore hauing obteined the posses|sion of this Iland, diuided the same at the last into fiue prouinces, as Vibius Sequester saith. The first whereof was named Britannia prima, Britannia prima. and conteined the east part of England (as some doo gather) from the Trent vnto the Twede.Valentia. The second was called Valentia or Valentiana, and included the west side, as they note it, from Lirpoole vnto Cokermouth.Britannia secunda. The third hight Bri|tannia secunda, and was that portion of the Ile which laie southwards, betwéene the Trent and the Thames. The fourth was surnamed Flauia Caesariensis, Flauia Cae|sariensis. and con|teined all the countrie which remained betweene Do|uer and the Sauerne, I meane by south of the Thames, and wherevnto (in like sort) Cornewall and Wales were orderlie assigned. The fift and last part was then named Maxima Caesariensis, Maxima Caesariensis now Scotland, the most barren of all the rest, and yet not vnsought out of the gréedie Romanes, bicause of the great plentie of fish and foule, fine alabaster and hard marble that are in|gendred and to be had in the same, for furniture of houshold and curious building, wherein they much deli|ted. More hereof in Sextus Rufus, who liued in the daies of Valentine, and wrate Notitiam prouinciarum now ex|tant to be read.

_IT is not to be doubted, but at the first, and so long as the poste|ritie of Iaphet onelie reigned in this Iland,Samothes. that the true know|ledge and forme of religion brought in by Samothes, and published with his lawes in the second of his arriuall, was ex|ercised among the Britans. And although peraduen|ture in proces of time, either through curiositie, or neg|ligence (the onelie corruptors of true pietie and godli|nesse) it might a little decaie, yet when it was at the woorst, it farre excéeded the best of that which afterward came in with Albion and his Chemminites, as may be gathered by view of the superstitious rites, which Cham and his successours did plant in other countries, yet to be found in authors.

What other learning Magus the sonne of Samothes taught after his fathers death, when he also came to the kingdome, beside this which concerned the true hono|ring of God, I cannot easilie say, but that it should be naturall philosophie, and astrologie (whereby his disci|ples gathered a kind of foreknowledge of things to come) the verie vse of the word Magus (or Magusaeus) among the Persians dooth yéeld no vncerteine testi|monie.

In like maner,Sarron. it should seeme that Sarron sonne vn|to the said Magus, diligentlie followed the steps of his father, and thereto beside his owne practise of teaching, opened schooles of learning in sundrie places, both a|mong the Celts and Britans, whereby such as were his auditors, grew to be called Sarronides, notwithstand|ing, that as well the Sarronides as the Magi, and Drui|ydes, were generallie called Samothei, or Semno|thei, of Samothes Samothei. Semnothei. still among the Grecians, as Aristo|tle in his De magia dooth confesse; and furthermore call|ing them Galles, he addeth therevnto, that they first brought the knowledge of letters and good learning vnto the Gréekes.

Druiyus Druiyus. the son of Sarron (as a scholer of his fathers owne teaching) séemed to be exquisit in all things, that perteined vnto the diuine and humane knowledge: and therefore I may safelie pronounce, that he excelled not onlie in the skill of philosophie and the quadriuials, but also in the true Theologie, whereby the right seruice of God was kept and preserued in puritie. He wrote moreouer sundrie precepts and rules of religi|ous doctrine, which among the Celts were reserued ve|rie religiouslie, and had in great estimation of such as sought vnto them.

How and in what order this prince left the state of re|ligion,Corruptors of religion. I meane touching publike orders in admini|stration of particular rites and ceremonies, as yet I doo not read: howbeit this is most certeine, that after he died, the puritie of his doctrine began somewhat to de|caie. For such is mans nature, that it will not suffer any good thing long to remaine as it is left, but (either by addition or subtraction of this or that, to or from the same) so to chop and change withall from time to time, that in the end there is nothing of more difficultie, for such as doo come after them, than to find out the puritie of the originall, and restore the same againe vnto the former perfection.

In the beginning this Druiyus did preach vnto his hearers,Caesar. that the soule of man is immortall, that God is omnipotent, mercifull as a father in shewing fauor vnto the godlie, and iust as an vpright iudge in punish|ing the wicked; that the secrets of mans hart are not vnknowne, and onelie knowne to him; and that as the world and all that is therein had their beginning by him, at his owne will, so shall all things likewise haue an end,Strabo. li. 4. Socion. lib. success. when he shall see his time. He taught them also with more facilitie,Cicero di|uinat. 1. how to obserue the courses of the heauens and motions of the planets by arithmeticall industrie, to find out the true quantities of the celestiall bodies by geometricall demonstration, and thereto the compasse of the earth, and hidden natures of things contained in the same by philosophicall contemplation. But alas, this integritte continued not long among his successors, for vnto the immortalitie of the soule, they added, that after death it went into another bodie, (of which translation Ouid saith; Morte carent animae, sempérque priore relicta Sede, nouis domibus viuunt habitántque receptae.) The second or succedent, being alwaies either more noble, or more vile than the former, as the partie deser|ued by his merits, whilest he liued here vpon earth. And therefore it is said by Plato and other, that Orpheus after his death had his soule thrust into the bodie of a swanne, that of Agamemnon conueied into an egle, of Aiax into a lion, of Atlas into a certeine wrest|ler, of Thersites into an ape, of Deiphobus into Py|thagoras, and Empedocles dieng a child, after sundrie changes into a man, whereof he himselfe saith; Ipse ego nám fui puer olim, deinde puella, Arbustum & volucris, mutus quó in aequore piscis. For said they (of whom Pythagoras also had,Plinius. lib. 16. cap. vlti|mo. and taught this errour) if the soule apperteined at the first to a king, and he in this estate did not leade his life worthie his calling,Metempsu|chôssis. it should after his decease be shut vp in the bo|die of a slaue, begger, cocke, owle, dog, ape, horsse, asse, worme, or monster, there to remaine as in a place of purgation and punishment, for a certeine period of time. Beside this, it should peraduenture susteine often translation from one bodie vnto another, according to the quantitie and qualitie of his dooings here on earth, till it should finallie be purified, and restored againe to an other humane bodie, wherein if it behaued it selfe more orderlie than at the first: after the next death, it should be preferred, either to the bodie of a king againe, or other great estate. And thus they made a perpetuall circulation or reuolution of our soules, much like vnto the continuall motion of the heauens, which neuer stand still, nor long yeeld one representation and figure. For this cause also, as Diodorus saith, they vsed to cast cer|teine letters into the fire, wherein the dead were bur|ned, to be deliuered vnto their deceased fréends, where|by they might vnderstand of the estate of such as tra|uelled here on earth in their purgations (as the Mos|couits doo write vnto S. Nicholas to be a speach-man for him that is buried, in whose hand they bind a letter, and send him with a new paire of shooes on his féet in|to the graue) and to the end that after their next death they should deale with them accordinglie, and as their merits required. They brought in also the worshipping of manie gods, and their seuerall sacrifices: they ho|noured likewise the oke,Oke hono|red whereon mistle did grow, and so doo our sor|cerers euen to this daie thinking some spirits to deale a|bout ye same, for hidden treasure, whereon the mistle groweth, and dailie deuised infinit other toies (for errour is ne|uer assured of hir owne dooings) whereof neither Sa|mothes, nor Sarron, Magus, nor Druiyus did leaue them anie prescription.

These things are partlie touched by Cicero, Strabo, Plinie, Sotion, Laertius, Theophrast, Aristotle, and part|lie also by Caesar, Mela, Val. Max. lib. 2. and other authors of later time, who for the most part doo confesse, that the cheefe schoole of the Druiydes was holden here in Bri|taine, where that religion (saith Plinie) was so hotlie professed and followed, Vt dedisse Persis videri possit, lib. 30. cap. 1. and whither the Druiydes also themselues, that dwelt among the Galles, would often resort to come by the more skill, and sure vnderstanding of the myste|ries of that doctrine. And as the Galles receiued their religion from the Britons, so we likewise had from them some vse of Logike & Rhetorike,Logike and Rhetorike out of Gal|lia. such as it was which our lawiers practised in their plees and common causes. For although the Gréeks were not vnknowne vnto vs, nor we to them, euen from the verie com|ming of Brute, yet by reason of distance betwéene our countries, we had no great familiaritie and common accesse one vnto another, till the time of Gurguntius, after whose entrance manie of that nation trauelled hither in more securitie, as diuers of our countriemen did vnto them without all danger, to be offered vp in sacrifice to their gods. That we had the maner of our plees also out of France, Iuuenal is a witnesse, who saith; Gallia causidicos docuit facunda Britannos. Howbeit as they taught vs Logike and Rhetorike, so we had also some Sophistrie from them; but in the worst sense: for from France is all kind of forgerie, corruption of maners, and craftie behauiour not so soone as often transported into England. And albeit the Druiydes were thus honored and of so great au|thoritie in Britaine, yet were there great numbers of them also in the Iles of Wight, Anglesey, and the Or|chades, in which they held open schooles of their professi|on, aloofe as it were from the resort of people, where|in they studied and learned their songs by heart. How|beit the cheefe college of all I say, remained still in Al|bion, whither the Druiydes of other nations also (beside the Galles) would of custome repaire, when soeuer any controuersie among them in matters of religion did happen to be mooued. At such times also the rest were called out of the former Ilands, whereby it appeareth that in such cases they had their synods and publike meetings, and therevnto it grew finallie into custome, and after that a prouerbe, euen in variances falling out among the princes, great men, and common sorts of people liuing in these weast parts of Europe, to yeeld to be tried by Britaine and hir thrée Ilands, bicause they honoured hir préests (the Druiydes) as the Athe|niens did their Areopagites.

Furthermore,Estimation of the Dru|iydes or Druiysh preests. in Britaine, and among the Galles, and to say the truth, generallie in all places where the Druiysh religion was frequented, such was the estima|tion of the préests of this profession, that there was lit|tle or nothing doone without their skilfull aduise, no not in ciuill causes, perteining to the regiment of the com|mon-wealth and countrie. They had the charge also of all sacrifices, publike and priuate, they interpreted o|racles, preached of religion, and were neuer without great numbers of young men that heard them with diligence, as they taught from time to time.

Touching their persons also, they were exempt from all temporall seruices,Immunitie of the clear|gie greater vnder ido|latrie than vnder the gospell. impositions, tributes, and exer|cises of the wars: which immunitie caused the greater companies of scholers to flocke vnto them from all places, & to learne their trades. Of these likewise, some remained with them seuen, eight, ten, or twelue years, still learning the secrets of those vnwritten mysteries by heart, which were to be had amongst them, and com|monlie pronounced in verse. And this policie, as I take it, they vsed onelie to preserue their religion from contempt, whereinto it might easilie haue fallen, if any books thereof had happened into the hands of the com|mon sort. It helped also not a little in the exercise of their memories, wherevnto bookes are vtter enimies, insomuch as he that was skilfull in the Druiysh religi|on, would not let readilie to rehearse manie hundreds of verses togither, and not to faile in one tittle, in the whole processe of this his laborious repetition. But as they dealt in this order for matters of their religion, so in ciuill affairs, historicall treatises, and setting downe of lawes, they vsed like order and letters almost with the Grecians. Whereby it is easie to be séene, that they reteined this kind of writing from Druiyus (the origi|nall founder of their religion) and that this Iland hath not béene void of letters and learned men, euen sith it was first inhabited. I would ad some thing in parti|cular also of their apparell, but sith the dealing withall is nothing profitable to the reader, I passe it ouer, signi|fieng neuerthelesse, that it was distinguished by sun|drie dauises from that of the common sort, and of such estimation among the people, that whosoeuer ware the Druiysh weed, might walke where he would without any harme or annoiance. This honour was giuen also vnto the préests in Rome, insomuch that when Volusius was exiled by the Triumuirate, and saw himselfe in such danger, as that he could not escape the hardest, he gat the wéed of a preest vpon his backe, and begged his almes therein, euen in the high waies as he trauelled, and so escaped the danger and the furie of his aduersa|ries: but to proceed with other things.

After the death of Druiyus,Bardus. Bardus his sonne, and fift king of the Celts, succéeded not onelie ouer the said kingdome, but also in his fathers vertues, whereby it is verie likelie, that the winding and wrapping vp of the said religion, after the afore remembred sort into verse, was first deuised by him, for he was an excellent poet, and no lesse indued with a singular skill in the practise and speculation of musicke, of which two many suppose him to be the verie author and beginner, although vn|iustlie, sith both poetrie and song were in vse before the flood,Gen. 4. 21. as was also the harpe and pipe, which Iubal in|uented, and could neuer be performed without great skill in musicke. But to procéed, as the cheefe estimation of the Druiydes remained in the end among the Bri|tons onelie, for their knowledge in religion, so did the fame of the Bardes (which were so called of this Bardus for their excellent skill in musicke, poetrie, and the he|roicall kind of song, which at the first conteined onelie the high mysteries and secret points of their religion. There was little difference also betwéene them and the Druiydes, The Bards degenerate. till they so farre degenerated from their first institution, that they became to be minstrels at feasts, droonken meetings, and abhominable sacrifices of the idols: where they sang most commonlie no diuinitie as before, but the puissant acts of valiant princes, and fabulous narrations of the adulteries of the gods. Certes in my time this fond vsage, and thereto the ve|rie name of the Bardes, are not yet extinguished a|mong the Britons of Wales, where they call their po|ets and Musicians Barthes, as they doo also in Ireland: which Sulpitius also writing to Lucane remembreth, where he saith that the word Bardus is meere Celtike, and signifieth a singer. Howbeit the Romans iudging all nations beside themselues to be but rude and bar|barous, and thereto misliking vtterlie the rough mu|sicke of the Bardes, entred so farre into the contemptu|ous mockage of their melodie, that they ascribed the word Bardus vnto their fooles and idiots, whereas con|trariwise the Scythians and such as dwell within the northweast part of Europe, did vse the same word in ve|rie honourable maner, calling their best poets and he|roicall singers, Singebardos; their couragious singers and capiteins that delited in musicke, Albardos, Da|gobardos, Rodtbardos, & one lame musician Lambard aboue all other, of whose skilfull ditties Germanie is not vnfurnished, as I heare vnto this daie. In Quiz|queia or new Spaine, an Iland of the Indies, they call such men Boitios, their rimes Arcitos, and in steed of harps they sing vnto timbrels made of shels such son|nets and ditties as either perteine vnto religion, pro|phane loue, commendation of ancestrie, and inflam|mation of the mind vnto Mars, whereby there appeareth to be small difference betwéene their Boitios and our Bardes. Finallie of our sort, Lucane in his first booke writeth thus, among other like saiengs well toward the latter end; Vos quó qui fortes animas,Lucan. li. 1. bello peremptas Laudibus in longum vates dimit titis auum, Plurima securi fudistis carmina Bardi, Et vos barbaricos ritus, morémque sinistrum Sacrorum Druiydae, positis recepistis ab armis. Solis nosse Deos, & coeli numina vobis, Aut solis nescire datum: nemora alta remotis Incolitis lucis. Vobis authoribus, vmbrae Non tacitas Erebi sedes, Ditisque profundi Pallida regna petunt, regit idem spiritus artus Orbe alio Longae canitis si cognita, vitae Morsmedia est, certe populi, quos despicit arctos, Foelices errore suo, quos ille timorum Maximus haud vrget leti metus: inde ruendi In ferrum mens prona viris, animaeque capaces Mortis: & ignauum est rediturae parcere vitae.

Thus we sée as in a glasse the state of religion, for a time, after the first inhabitation of this Iland: but how long it continued in such soundnese, as the originall authors left it, in good sooth I cannot say, yet this is most certeine, that after a time, when Albion arriued here, the religion earst imbraced fell into great decaie. For whereas Iaphet & Samothes with their children taught nothing else than such doctrine as they had learned of Noah: Cham the great grandfather of this our Albion, and his disciples vtterlie renouncing to follow their steps, gaue their minds wholie to seduce and lead their hearers headlong vnto all error. Whereby his posteri|tie not onelie corrupted this our Iland, with most fil|thie trades and practises; but also all mankind, general|lie where they became, with vicious life, and most vn|godlie conuersation.What doc|trine Cham and his dis|ciples taught. For from Cham and his succes|sours procéeded at the first all sorcerie, witchcraft, and the execution of vnlawfull lust, without respect of sex, age, consanguinitie, or kind: as branches from an odi|ous and abhominable root, or streames deriued from a most filthie and horrible stinking puddle. Howbeit, & notwithstanding all these his manifold lewdnesses, such was the follie of his Aegyptians (where he first reig|ned and taught) that whilest he liued they alone had him in great estimation (whereas other nations contem|ned and abhorred him for his wickednesse, calling him Chemesenua, Cheme|senua. Chem Min. Cham made a god. that is, the impudent, infamous and wic|ked Cham) and not onelie builded a citie vnto him which they called Chem Min, but also after his death re|puted him for a god, calling the highest of the seuen planets after his name, as they did the next beneath it after Osyris his sonne, whom they likewise honored vn|der the name of Iupiter.

Certes it was a custome begonne in Aegypt of old time,Translation of mortall men into heauen how it be|gan. and generallie in vse almost in euerie place in processe of time (when any of their famous worthie princes died) to ascribe some forme or other of the stars vnto his person, to the end his name might neuer weare out of memorie. And this they called their trans|lation in heauen, so that he which had any starres or forme of starres dedicated vnto him, was properlie said to haue a seat among the gods. A toie much like to the catalog of Romish saints, (although the one was written in the celestiall or immateriall orbes, the other in sheeps skins, and verie brickle paper) but yet so estée|med, that euerie prince would oft hazard and attempt the vttermost aduentures, thereby to win such fame in his life, that after his death he might by merit haue such place in heauen, among the shining starres. Howbeit, euerie of those that were called gods, could not obteine that benefit, for then should there not haue béene stars enow in heauen to haue serued all their turnes, wher|fore another place was in time imagined,Cyril. aduer|sus Iul. lib. 6. sect. 8. where they reigned that were of a second calling, as the Semones who were gods by grace and fauour of the people. Semo|nes dici voluerunt (saith Fulgentius In vocibus antiquis) quos coelo nec dignos ascriberent, ob meriti paupertatem; sicut Priapus Hyppo. Vortumnus, &c. nec terrenos eos deputare vellent per gratiae venerationem, as also a third place that is to say an earth, where those gods dwelled which were noble men, officers, good gouernours and lawgiuers to the people, and yet not thought worthie to be of the second or first companie, which was a iollie diuision.

Thus we sée in generall maner, how idolatrie, ho|noring of the starres, and brood of inferiour gods were hatched at the first, which follies in processe of time came also into Britaine, as did the names of Saturne & Iupiter, &c: as shall appeare hereafter. And here sith I haue alreadie somewhat digressed from my matter, I will go yet a little farder, and shew foorth the originall vse of the word Saturne, Iupiter, Hercules, &c: whereby your Honor shall sée a little more into the errours of the Gentils, and not onelie that, but one point also of the root of all the confusion that is to be found among the ancient histories.Which were pro|perlie cal|led, Saturni, Ioues, Iuno|nes, and Her|cules. Certes it was vsed for a few yéeres after the partition of the earth (which was made by Noah, in the 133. yeere after the floud) that the beginners of such kingdoms as were then erected should be called Saturni, whereby it came to passe that Nimbrote was the Saturne of Babylon: Cham of Aegypt: and so foorth other of sundrie other countries. Their eldest sonnes also that succeeded them, were cal|led Ioues; and their nephewes or sonnes sonnes, which reigned in the third place Hercules, by which meanes it followed that euerie kingdome had a Saturne, Iupiter and Hercules of hir owne, and not from anie other.

In like sort they had such another order among their daughters, whom they married as yet commonlie vnto their brethren (God himselfe permitting the same vnto them for a time) as before the floud, to the end the earth might be thoroughlie replenished, and the sooner furni|shed with inhabitants in euerie part thereof. The sister therefore and wife of euerie Saturne was called Rhea, but of Iupiter, Iuno, Isis, or Io. Isis, Io, and Iuno all one. Beyond these also there was no latter Harold that would indeuour to deriue the petigree of any prince, or potentate, but supposed his dutie to be sufficientlie performed, when he had brought it orderlie vnto some Saturne or other, wherat he might cease, and shut vp all his trauell. They had likewise this opinion grounded amongst them, that heauen & earth were onlie parents vnto Saturne and Rhea, not know|ing out of doubt, what they themselues did meane,Coelum or Coelus. sith these denominations, Heauen, Ogyges,Ogyges. the Sunne,Sol. Pa|terPater deo|rum. Deorum, and such like, were onelie ascribed vnto Noah: asTydea. Terra,Terra. (the Earth) Vesta,Vesta. Aretia,Aretia. the Moone, Luna. Mater deorum, Deorum mater. and other the like were vnto Tydea his wife. So that hereby we sée, how Saturne is reputed in euerie nation for their oldest god, or first prince, Iupiter for the next, and Hercules for the third. And therfore sith these names were dispersed in the beginning ouer all, it is no maruell that there is such confusion in ancient histories, and the dooings of one of them so mixed with those of another, that it is now impossible to distinguish them in sunder. This haue I spoken, to the end that all men may see what gods the Pagans honored, & thereby what religion the posteritie of Cham did bring ouer in|to Britaine. For vntill their comming, it is not likelie that anie grosse idolatrie or superstition did enter in among vs, as deifieng of mortall men, honoring of the starres, and erection of huge images, beside sorce|rie, witchcraft, and such like, whereof the Chemminites are worthilie called the autors. Neither were these er|rors anie thing amended,Frõ whence Brute did learne his religion. by the comming in of Brute, who no doubt added such deuises vnto the same, as he and his companie had learned before in Graecia, from whence also he brought Helenus the sonne of Priamus, (a man of excéeding age) & made him his préest and bi|shop thorough out the new conquest, that he had atchie|ued in Britaine.

After Brute, idolatrie and superstition still increa|sed more and more among vs, insomuch that beside the Druiysh and Bardike ceremonies, and those also that came in with Albion and Brute himselfe: our countrie|men either brought hither from abroad, or dailie inuen|ted at home new religion and rites, whereby it came to passe that in the stead of the onelie and immortall God (of whome Samothes and his posteritie did preach in times past) Dis or Samo|thes made a god. now they honored the said Samothes him|selfe vnder the name of Dis and Saturne: also Iupiter, Mars, Minerua, Mercurie, Apollo, Diana; and finallie Hercules, vnto whome they dedicated the gates and porches of their temples, entrances into their regi|ons, cities, townes and houses, with their limits and bounds (as the papists did the gates of their cities and ports vnto Botulph & Giles) bicause fortitude and wise|dome are the cheefe vpholders and bearers vp of com|mon-wealths and kingdoms, both which they ascribed to Hercules (forgetting God) and diuers other idols whose names I now remember not.Mela. In lieu more|ouer of sheepe and oxen,Diodorus. they offred mankind also vnto some of them,Strab. 4. killing their offendors,Plin. prisoners, and oft such strangers as came from farre vnto them,Caesar. 5. by shut|ting vp great numbers of them togither in huge ima|ges made of wicker, réed, haie, or other light matter: and then setting all on fire togither, they not onelie con|sumed the miserable creatures of ashes (sometimes adding other beasts vnto them) but also reputed it to be the most acceptable sacrifice that could be made vnto their idols. From whence they had this horrible custome, trulie I cannot tell, but that it was common to most nations, not onlie to consume their strangers, captiues, &c; but also their owne children with fire, in such maner of sacrifice: beside the text of the Bible, the prophane histories doo generallie leaue it euident, as a thing either of custome or of particular necessitie, of which later Virgil saith; Sanguine placastis ventos & virgine caesa, &c. As Silius dooth of the first, where he telleth of the vsuall maner of the Carthaginenses, saieng after this maner; Vrna reducebat miserandos annua casus, &c. But to procéed with our owne gods and idols, more pertinent to my purpose than the rehersall of forreine demeanours: I find that huge temples in like sort were builded vnto them, so that in the time of Lucius, when the light of saluation began stronglie to shine in Britaine, thorough the preaching of the gospell, the chri|stians discouered 25.Ptol. Lu|censis. Flamines or idol-churches, beside three Archflamines, whose préests were then as our Archbishops are now, in that they had superior charge of all the rest, the other being reputed as inferiours, and subiect to their iurisdiction in cases of religion, and superstitious ceremonies.

Of the quantities of their idols I speake not,Monstrous proportions of idols. sith it is inough to saie, that they were monstrous, and that each nation contended which should honour the greater blocks, and yet all pretending to haue the iust height of the god or goddesse whom they did represent. Apollo Capitolinus that stood at Rome, was thirtie cubits high at the least; Tarentinus Iupiter of 40.; the idoll of the sonne in the Rhodes, of 70. (whose toe few men could fadam;) Tuscanus Apollo that stood in the librarie of the temple of Augustus, of 50. foot; another made vnder Nero of 110. foot; but one in France passed all, which Zenoduris made vnto Mercurie at Ar|uernum in ten years space, of 400. foot Wherby it appea|reth, that as they were void of moderation in number of gods, so without measure were they also in their pro|portions, and happie was he which might haue the grea|test idoll, and lay most cost thereon.

Hitherto yee haue heard of the time,Theodoret. Sophroni|us. wherein idola|trie reigned and blinded the harts of such as dwelled in this Iland. Now let vs sée the successe of the gospell, af|ter the death and passion of Iesus Christ our sauiour. And euen here would I begin with an allegation of Theodoret, wherevpon some repose great assurance (conceiuing yet more hope therein by the words of So|phronius) that Paule the Apostle should preach the word of saluation here, after his deliuerie out of capti|uitie, which fell as I doo read in the 57. of Christ. But sith I cannot verifie the same by the words of Theodo|ret, to be spoken more of Paule than Peter, or the rest, I will passe ouer this coniecture (so far as it is grounded vpon Theodoret) and deale with other authorities, whereof we haue more certeintie. First of all therfore let vs see what Fortunatus hath written of Pauls com|ming into Britaine, and afterward what is to be found of other by-writers in other points of more assurance. Certes for the presence of Paule I read thus much: Quid sacer ille simul Paulus tuba gentibus ampla, Per mare per terras Christi praeconia fundens, Europam & Asiam, Lybiam, sale dogmata complens, Arctos, meridies, hic plenus vesper & ortus, Transit & Oceanum, vel qua facit insula portum, Quás Britannus habet terras atque vltima Thule, &c.

That one Iosephus preached here in England, in the time of the Apostles, his sepulchre yet in Aualon, now called Glessenburg or Glastenburie,Iosephus. an epitaph affix|ed therevnto is proofe sufficient. Howbeit, sith these things are not of competent force to persuade all men, I will ad in few, what I haue read elsewhere of his arri|uall here. First of all therefore you shall note that he came ouer into Britaine, about the 64. after Christ, when the persecution began vnder Nero, at which time Philip and diuers of the godlie being in France (whe|ther he came with other christians, after they had sow|ed the word of God in Scythia, by the space of 9. yeares) seuered themselues in sunder, to make the better shift for their owne safegard, and yet not otherwise than by their flight, the gospell might haue due furtherance. Hereby then it came to passe,Philip. Freculphus To. 2. lib. 2. cap. 4. Nennius. Nicepho|rus lib. 2. cap. 40. that the said Philip vpon good deliberation did send Iosephus ouer, and with him Simon Zelotes to preach vnto the Britons, and mini|ster the sacraments there according to the rites of the churches of Asia and Greece, from whence they came not long before vnto the countrie of the Galles. Which was saith Malmesburie 103. before Faganus and Di|naw did set foorth the gospell amongst them.Isidorus lib. de vita & obit. dict. patrum. W. Malmes. de antiq. Glasconici monast. Of the cõ|ming of Zelotes you may read more in the second booke of Niceph. Cal. where he writeth thereof in this maner: Operae pretium etiam fuerit Simonem Cana Galileae or|tum, qui propter flagrantem in magistrum suum ardorem, sum|mám euangelicae rei per omnia curam Zelotes cognominatus est hîc referre, accepit enim is coelitùs adueniente spiritu sancto, Ae|gyptium Cyrenem & Africam, deinde Mauritaniam & Ly|biam omnem euangelium depraedicans percurrit, eandémque do|ctrinam etiam ad occidentalem Oceanum insulásque Britanni|cas perfert. And this is the effect in a litle roome, of that which I haue read at large in sundrie writers, beside these two here alledged, although it may well be gathe|red that diuers Britains were conuerted to the faith, before this sixtie foure of Christ. Howbeit, whereas some write that they liued, and dwelled in Britaine, it cannot as yet take any absolute hold in my iudge|ment, but rather that they were baptised and remai|ned, either in Rome, or else-where. And of this sort I suppose Claudia Rufina the wife of Pudens to be one, Claudia Ru|fina a Bri|tish ladie. who was a British ladie indeed, and not onelie excel|lentlie séene in the Gréeke and Latine toongs, but also with hir husband highlie commended by S. Paule, as one hauing had conuersation and conference with them at Rome,2. Tim. 4. from whence he did write his second epistle vnto Timothie, as I read. Of this ladie moreo|uer Martial speaketh, in reioising that his poesies were read also in Britaine, and onelie by hir meanes, who vsed to cull out the finest & honestest of his epigrams and send them to hir fréends for tokens, saieng after this maner, as himselfe dooth set it downe: Dicitur & nostros cantare Britannia versus. Furthermore making mention of hir and hir issue, he addeth these words: Claudia coeruleis cùm sit Rufina Britannis Edita, cur Latiae pectora plebis habet?Li. 11. Epig. 54. Quale decus formae? Romanam credere matres Italides possunt, Atthides esse suam. Dij bene, quod sancto peperit faecunda marito, Quot sperat, generos, quótque puella nurus. Sic placeat superis, vt coniuge gaudeat vno, Et semper natis gaudeat illa tribus. The names of hir thrée children were Pudentiana, Praxedes, both virgins, and Nouatus, who after the death of Pudens their father (which befell him in Cap|padocia) dwelled with their mother in Vmbria, where they ceased not from time to time to minister vnto the saints. But to leaue this impertinent discourse, and proceed with my purpose.

I find in the Chronicles of Burton (vnder the yeare of Grace 141. and time of Hadrian the emperour) that nine scholers or clerkes of Grantha or Granta (now Cambridge) were baptised in Britaine, and became preachers of the gospell there, but whether Taurinus bi|shop or elder ouer the congregation at Yorke (who as Vincentius saith, was executed about this tune for his faith) were one of them or not,Lib. 10. cap. 17. Taurinus. as yet I do not certeinlie find; but rather the contrarie, which is that he was no Britaine at all, but Episcopus Ebroicensis, for which such as perceiue not the easie corruption of the word, may soone write Eboracensis, as certeinlie mine author out of whom I alledge this authoritie hath done before me. For Vincentius saith flat otherwise, and therefore the Chronologie if it speake of anie Taurinus bishop of Yorke is to be reformed in that behalfe. Diuers other also imbraced the religion of Christ verie zealouslie before these men. Howbeit, all this notwithstand|ing, the glad tidings of the gospell had neuer free and open passage here, vntill the time of Lucius, in which the verie enimies of the word became the appa|rent meanes (contrarie to their owne minds) to haue it set foorth amongst vs. For when Antoninus the empe|rour had giuen out a decrée, that the Druiysh religion should euerie where be abolished, Lucius the king (whose surname is now perished) tooke aduise of his councell what was best to be doone, & wrote in this behalfe. And this did Lucius, bicause he knew itThis is contrarie to the common talke of our Atheists who say, Let vs liue here in wealth, credit and authoritie vpon earth, and let God take heauen and his reli|gion to him|selfe to doo withall what he listeth. impossible for man to liue long without any religion at all: finallie finding his Nobilitie & subiects vtter enimies to the Romane deuotiõ (for that they made so many gods as they listed, & some to haue the regiment euen of their dirt & dung) and thervnto being pricked forwards by such christians as were conuersant about him, to choose the seruice of the true God that liueth for euer, rather than the slauish seruitude of any pagan idoll: he fullie resolued with himselfe in the end, to receiue and imbrace the gospell of Christ. He sent also two of his best learned and grea|test philosophers to Rome, vnto Eleutherus then bishop there in the 177. of Christ, Lucius ope|neth his ears to good counsell, as one desirous to serue God & not prefer the world. not to promise any subiecti|on to his sea, which then was not required, but to say with such as were pricked in mind, Acts. 2. verse. 37. Quid faciemus viri fratres? I meane that they were sent to be perfectlie instructed, and with farther commission, to make earnest request vnto him and the congregation there, that a competent number of preachers might be sent ouer from thence, by whose diligent aduise and tra|uell, the foundation of the gospell might surelie be laid ouer all the portion of the Ile, which conteined his king|dome, according to his mind.

When Eleutherus vnderstood these things,The pur|pose of Luci|us opened vnto the con|gregation at Rome by E|leutherus. he reioiced not a little for the great goodnesse, which the Lord had shewed vpon this our Ile and countrie. Afterwards calling the brethren togither, they agréed to ordeine, euen those two for bishops, whom Lucius as you haue heard, had directed ouer vnto them. Finallie after they had thoroughlie catechized them, making generall praier vnto God and earnest supplication for the good successe of these men, they sent them home againe with no small charge, that they should be diligent in their function, and carefull ouer the flocke committed to their custodie.

The first of these was called Eluanus Aualonius, a man borne in the Ile of Aualon, and brought vp there vnder those godlie pastours and their disciples, whom Philip sent ouer at the first for the conuersion of the Britons. The other hight Medguinus, and was there|to surnamed Belga, bicause he was of the towne of Welles, which then was called Belga. This man was trained vp also in one schoole with Eluanus, both of them being ornaments to their horie ages, and men of such grauitie and godlinesse, that Eleutherus supposed none more worthie to support this charge, than they: after whose comming home also, it was not long yer Lucius and all his houshold with diuers of the Nobilitie were baptised,A zealous prince ma|keth feruent subiects. beside infinit numbers of the common people, which dailie resorted vnto them, and voluntarilie re|nounced all their idolatrie and paganisme.

In the meane time, Eleutherus vnderstanding the successe of these learned doctours, and supposing with himselfe, that they two onlie could not suffice to support so great a charge as should concerne the conuersion of the whole Iland; he directed ouer vnto them in the yeare insuing Faganus, Faganus. Dinaw (or Dinauus)Dinauus. Aaron, Aaron. and diuerse other godlie preachers, as fellow-labourers to trauell with them in the vineyard of the Lord. These men therefore after their comming hither,Radulphus de la noir alias Niger. consulted with the other, and foorthwith wholie consented to make a diuision of this Iland amongst themselues, appoin|ting what parcell each preacher should take,3. Cheefe Bishops in Britaine. that with the more profit and eass of the people, and somewhat lesse trauell also for themselues, the doctrine of the Gospell might be preached and receiued. In this distri|bution, they ordeined that there should be one congre|gation at London,Theonus. Theodosius London. Yorke. Caerlheon. where they placed Theonus as chéefe elder and bishop, for that present time, worthi|lie called Theonus. 1. for there was another of that name who fled into Wales with Thadiocus of Yorke, at the first comming of the Saxons; and also Guthel|mus, who went (as I read) into Armorica, there to craue aid against the Scots and Uandals that plagued this Ile, from the Twede vnto the Humber. After this Theonus also Eluanus succéeded, who conuerted manie of the Druiydes, and builded the first librarie neere vnto the bishops palace. The said Lucius also placed an|other at Yorke, whither they appointed Theodosius: and the third at Caerlheon vpon the riuer Uske, builded sometimes by Belinus, and called Glamorgan|tia, but now Chester (in which three cities there had be|fore time beene thrée Archflamines erected vnto Apol|lo, Mars, and Minerua, but now raced to the ground, and three other churches builded in their steeds by Lucius) to the end that the countries round about might haue indifferent accesse vnto those places, and therewithall vnderstand for certeintie, whither to resort for resoluti|on, if after their conuersion they should happen to doubt of any thing. In like sort also the rest of the idoll-tem|ples standing in other places were either ouerthrowne, or conuerted into churches for christian congregati|ons to assemble in, as our writers doo remember. In the report whereof giue me leaue gentle reader, of London my natiue citie to speake a little: for al|though it may and dooth seeme impertinent to my purpose, yet it shall not be much, and therefore I will soone make an end. There is a controuersie moued a|mong our historiographers, whether the church that Lu|cius builded at London stood at Westminster, or in Cornehill. For there is some cause, why the metropoli|tane church should be thought to stand where S. Pe|ters now doth, by the space of 400. & yéeres before it was remoued to Canturburie by Austine the monke, if a man should leane to one side without anie confe|rence of the asseuerations of the other. But herin (as I take it) there lurketh some scruple, for beside that S. Peters church stood in the east end of the citie, and that of Apollo in the west, the word Cornehill (a denomina|tion giuen of late to speake of to one street) may easi|lie be mistaken for Thorney. For as the word Thorney proceedeth from the Saxons, who called the west end of the citie by that name, where Westminster now stan|deth, bicause of the wildnesse and bushinesse of the soile; so I doo not read of anie stréete in London called Cornehill before the conquest of the Normans. Wher|fore I hold with them, which make Westminster to be the place where Lucius builded his church vpon the ruines of that Flamine 264. yeeres, as Malmesburie saith, before the comming of the Saxons, and 411. be|fore the arriuall of Augustine. Read also his appendix in lib. 4. Pontif. where he noteth the time of the Saxons, in the 449. of Grace, and of Augustine in the 596. of Christ; which is a manifest accompt, though some copies haue 499. for the one, but not without manifest cor|ruption and error.

Thus became Britaine the first prouince that ge|nerallie receiued the faith,Britaine the first pro|uince that receiued the Gospell ge|nerallie. and where the gospell was freelie preached without inhibition of hir prince. How|beit, although that Lucius and his princes and great numbers of his people imbraced the word with gréedi|nesse, yet was not the successe thereof either so vniuer|sall, that all men beleeued at the first; the securitie so great, as that no persecution was to be feared from the Romane empire after his decease; or the procéeding of the king so seuere, as that he inforced any man by publike authoritie to forsake and relinquish his paga|nisme: but onelie this fréedome was enioied, that who so would become a christian in his time, might without feare of his lawes professe the Gospell, in whose testi|monie, if néed had béene, I doubt not to affirme, but that he would haue shed also his bloud, as did his neece Emerita, Emerita neece vnto Lucius. who being constant aboue the common sort of women, refused not after his decease by fire, to yeeld hir selfe to death, as a swéet smelling sacrifice in the nostrels of the Lord, beyond the sea in France.

The faith of Christ being thus planted in this Iland in the 177. Lucius sen|deth againe to Rome. after Christ, and Faganus and Dinaw with the rest sent ouer from Rome, in the 178. as you haue heard: it came to passe in the third yeare of the Gospell receiued, that Lucius did send againe to Eleutherus the bishop, requiring that he might haue some breefe epi|tome of the order of discipline then vsed in the church. For he well considered, that as it auaileth litle to plant a costlie vineyard, except it afterward be cherished, kept in good order, and such things as annoie, dailie re|mooued from the same: so after baptisme and entrance into religion, it profiteth little to beare the name of christians, except we doo walke in the spirit, and haue such things as offend apparentlie, corrected by seuere discipline.Ro. 8. ver. 1 For otherwise it will come to passe, that the wéedes of vice, and vicious liuing, will so quicklie a|bound in vs, that they will in the end choke vp the good séed sowne in our minds, and either inforce vs to re|turne vnto our former wickednesse with déeper securi|tie than before, or else to become meere Atheists, which is a great deale woorse.

For this cause therefore did Lucius send to Rome, the second time, for a copie of such politike orders as were then vsed there, in their regiment of the church. But Eleutherus considering with himselfe,The wise|dome of Eleutherus. how that all nations are not of like condition, and therefore those constitutions that are beneficiall to one, may now and then be preiudiciall to another: and séeing also that be|side the word no rites and orders can long continue, or be so perfect in all points, but that as time serueth, they will require alteration: he thought it best not to laie any more vpon the necks of the new conuerts of Bri|taine as yet, than Christ and his apostles had alreadie set downe vnto all men. In returning therefore his messengers, he sent letters by them vnto Lucius and his Nobilitie, dated in the consulships of Commodus and Vespronius, wherein he told them that Christ had left sufficient order in the scriptures for the gouern|ment of his church alreadie in his word, and not for that onlie, but also for the regiment of his whole illegible hough most princes cannot heare illegible that side. king|dome, if he would submit himselfe, to yéeld and follow that rule. The epistle it selfe is partlie extant, and partlie perished, yet such as it is, and as I haue faith|fullie translated it out of sundrie verie ancient copies, I doo deliuer it here, to the end I will not defraud the reader of anie thing that may turne to the glorie of God, and his commoditie, in the historie of our nation.

You require of vs the Romane ordinances,Epistle of Eleutherus vnto Lucius. and thereto the statutes of the emperours to be sent ouer vnto you, and which you desire to practise and put in vre within your realme and kingdome. The Romane lawes and those of emperours we may eft soones re|prooue, but those of God can neuer be found fault with|all. You haue receiued of late through Gods mercie in the realme of Britaine the law and faith of Christ, you haue with you both volumes of the scriptures: out of them therefore by Gods grace, and the councell of your realme take you a law, and by that law through Gods sufferance rule your kingdome, for you are Gods vi|car in your owne realme,Psal. 24. as the roiall prophet saith; The earth is the Lords and all that is therein, the com|passe of the world, and they that dwell therein. Againe, Thou hast loued truth and hated iniquitie, wherefore God,Psal. 45. euen thy God hath annointed thée with oile of gladnesse aboue thy fellowes. And againe, according to the saieng of the same prophet; Oh God giue thy iudgement vnto the king, &Psal. 71. thy iustice vnto the kings sonne. The kings sons are the christian people & flocke of the realme, which are vnder your gouernance, and liue & continue in peace within your kingdome.Here wa illegible teth. * The gospell saith; As the hen gathereth hir chickens vnder hir wings, so dooth the king his people. Such as dwell in the kingdome of Britaine are yours, whom if they be diuided, you ought to gather into concord and vnitie, to call them to the faith and law of Christ, and to his sa|cred church: to chearish and mainteine, to rule also and gouerne them, defending each of them from such as would doo them wrong, and keeping them from the ma|lice of such as be their enimies. * Wo vnto the nation whose king is a child, and whose princes rise vp earlie to banket and féed, which is spoken not of a prince that is within age, but of a prince that is become a child, through follie, sinne & vnstedfastnesse, of whom the pro|phet saith; The bloudthirstie and deceitfull men shall not liue foorth halfe their daies.Psal. 55. * By féeding I vnderstand gluttonie; by gluttonie, lust; & by lust all wickednesse & sinne, according to the saieng of Salomon the king; Wisedome entreth not into a wicked mind, nor dwel|leth with a man that is subiect vnto sinne. A king hath his name of ruling, and not of the possession of his realme. You shalbe a king whilest you rule well, but if you doo otherwise, the name of a king shall not remaine with you, but you shall vtterlie forgo illegible it, which God for|bid. The almightie God grant you so to rule the king|dome of Britaine, that you may reigne with him for euer, whose vicar (or vicegerent) you are within your aforesaid kingdome. Who with the Sonne and the Ho|lie-ghost, &c.

Hitherto out of the epistle that Eleutherus sent vnto Lucius, wherein manie pretie obseruations are to be collected, if time and place would illegible erue to stand vpon them. After these daies also the number of such as were ordeined to saluation, increased dailie more and more, whereby (as in other places of the world) the word of God had good successe in Britaine, in time of peace; and in heat of persecution, there were no small number of martyrs that suffered for the same, of which Albane,Albane. Amphiba| illegible s. Iulius. Aaron. Amphibalus, Iulius and Aaron, are reputed to be the chiefe, bicause of their noble parentage, which is a great matter in the sight of worldlie men.

There are which affirme our Lucius to renounce his kingdome, and afterward to become first a bishop, then a preacher of the gospell, and afterward a pope: but to the end such as hold this opinion may once vnderstand the botome of their errors, I will set downe the mat|ter at large, whereby they shall sée (if they list to looke) how far they haue béene deceiued.

I find that Chlorus had issue by his second wife, Chlorus had three sons, & a daughter by Helena. two sonnes, Dalmatius (who had a sonne called also Dal|matius and slaine by the souldiors) Constantius fa|ther to Gallus, and Iulian the apostata; besides foure o|ther whose names as yet I find not. But being at the first matched with Helena, and before she was put from him by the roiall power of Dioclesian, he had by hir three sonnes (beside one daughter named Emerita) of which the name of the first is perished, the second was called Lucius, & the third Constantine, that afterward was emperour of Rome, by election of the armies in Britaine. Now it happened that Lucius, whome the French call Lucion, by mean illegible s of a quarell growne be|twéene him and his elder brother, did kill his said bro|ther, either by a sraie or by some other meanes, where|vpon his father exiled him out of Britaine, and appoin|ted him from thencefoorth to remaine in Aquitane in France. This Lucion brought thus into worldlie so|row, had now good leasure to meditate vpon heauen, who before in his prosperitie had peraduenture neuer regard of hell. Finallie he fell so far into the conside|ration of his estate, Lucion be|commeth a christian. that at the last he renounced his paganisme, and first became a christian, then an elder, and last of all a bishop in the church of Christ. He erected also a place of praier wherein to serue the li|uing God, Lucion a bishop. which after sundrie alterations came in pro|cesse of time to be an Abbaie, and is still called euen to our time after Lucion or Lucius: the first founder ther|of, and the originall beginner of anie such house in those parts.

In this also he and diuers other of his freends conti|nued their times, in great contemplation and praier, and from hence were translated as occasion serued, vnto sundrie ecclesiasticall promotions in the time of Constant. his brother. So that euen by this short nar|ration it is now easie to sée, that Lucius the king, and Lucius or Lucion the sonne of Chlorus, were illegible persons. Herevnto Hermannus Hermannus Schedelius Schedelius. addeth also how he went into Rhetia with Emerita his sister, and néere vnto the citie Augusta conuerted the Curienfes vnto the faith of Christ,Bruschius cap. 3. and there likewise (being put to death in Castro Martis) lieth buried in the saile towne, where his feast is holden vpon the third daie of December, as may readilie be confirmed, whereas the bones of our Lucius were to be séene at Glocester. That Schedelius erreth not herein also, the ancient m illegible |nunients of the said Abbaie, whereof he was the origi|nall beginner, as I said, doo yeeld sufficient testimonie, beside an hymne made in his commendation, intitu|led Gaude Lucionum, &c. Festum Lu|cionis. Iohn Bou|chet. But for more of this you may resort vnto Bouchet in his first booke, and fift chapter of the Annales of Aquitane, who neuertheles maketh the king of Britaine grandfather to this Lucion. The said Schedelius furthermore setteth downe, that his sister was martyred in Trinecastell, néere vnto the place where the said Lucion dwelled, Emerita martyred in Rh illegible ia. whereby it appéereth in like sort, that she was not sister to Lucius king of Bri|taine, of which prince Alexander Neccham in his most excellent treatise De sapientia diuina, setteth downe this Distichon: Prima Britannorum fidei lux Lucius esse Fortur, qui rexit moenie Brute tua.

Neither could Lucion or Lucius be fellow and of kinred vnto Paule the apostle, as Auentine inferreth, except he meane it of some other Lucius, as of one whome he nameth Cyrinensis. But then will not the hi|storie agree with the conuersion of the Rhetians and Vindelicians, whereof Schedelius and other doo make mention. But as each riuer the farder it runneth from the head, the more it is increased by small riuelets, and corrupted with filthie puddels, and stinking gutters, that descend into the same: so the puritie of the gospell,Heresie and monastical life brought into Bri|taine at one time by Pe|lagius. preached here in Britaine, in processe of time became first of all to be corrupted with a new order of religion, and most execrable heresie, both of them being brought in at once by Pelagius, of Wales, who hauing trauel|led through France, Italie, Aegypt, Syria, & the easter|lie regions of the world, was there at the last made an elder or bishop, by some of the monkes, vnto whose profession he had not long before wholie addicted him|selfe. Finallie returning home againe with an aug|mentation of fame and countenance of greater holi|nesse than he bare out of the land with him, he did not onelie erect an house of his owne order at Bangor inBangor. Wales, vpon the riuer Dee, but also sowed the pestife|rous féed of his hereticall prauities ouer all this Iland, whereby he seduced great numbers of Britons, teach|ing them to preferre their owne merits, before the free mercie of God, in Iesus Christ his sonne. By this means therefore he brought assurance of saluation in|to question, and taught all such as had a diligent respect vnto their workes to be doubtfull of the same, whereas to such as regard this latter, there can be no quietnesse of mind, but alwaies an vnstedfast opinion of them|selues, whereby they cannot discerne, neither by pro|speritie nor aduersitie of this life, whether they be wor|thie loue or hatred. Neuertheles it behooueth the godlie to repose their hope in that grace which is freelie gran|ted through Iesu Christ, and to flee vnto the mercies of God which are offered vnto vs in with and by his son, to the end that we may at the last find the testimonie of his spirit working with ours, that we are his chosen children, whereby commeth peace of conscience to such as doo beléeue.

Thus we sée how new deuises or orders of religion and heresie came in together. I could shew also what Comets, and strange signes appeared in Britaine, much about the same time, the like of which with diuers other haue beene perceiued also from time to time, si|thence the death of Pelagius, at the entrance of anie new kind of religion into this Ile of Britaine. But I passe them ouer, onelie for that I would not seeme in my tractation of antiquities, to trouble my reader with the rehersall of anie new inconueniences.

To procéed therefore with my purpose, after these, there followed in like sort sundrie other kinds of mo|nasticall life, as Anachorites, Anacho|rites. Heremits,Heremites. Cyrilline Cyrillines. and Benedictine Benedicti|nes. monkes, albeit that the heremeticall profession was onelie allowed of in Britaine, vntill the comming of Augustine the monke, who brought in the Benedictine sect, framed after the order of the house which Benedict surnamed Nursinus did first erect in Monte Cassino, about the 524. of Christ, & was finallie so well liked of all men, that we had few or (as I suppose) no blacke monkes in England that were not of his order. In processe of time how Benedict Biscop also our countrieman restored the said Benedictine profes|sion greatlie decaied in England, our histories are ve|rie plentifull, which Biscop went oft into Italie, and at one time for a speciall confirmation of his two mona|steries which he had builded at other mens costs vnto Paule and Peter vpon the bankes of the Were, as Beda dooth remember. So fast also did these and other like humane deuises prosper after his time, that at their suppression in England and Wales onelie,Monkes and Here|mites onelie allowed of in Britaine. there were found 440. religious houses at the least, of which 373. might dispend 200. li. by the yéere at the least, as appea|reth by the record of their suppression, which also noteth the totall summe of their reuenues to amount vnto 32000. pounds, their moueables 100000. li. and the number of religious men conteined in the same, to be 10000. which would make a pretie armie, where vnto if you adde those 45.The num|ber of reli|gious hou|ses in En|gland at their disso|lution. of late standing in Scotland, you shall soone see what numbers of these dens of spiri|tuall robbers were mainteined here in Britaine. What number of saincts also haue béene hatched in them I could easilie remember, and beside those 160. which Capgraue setteth down, & other likewise remem|bred in the golden Legend, and Legendarie of Exce|ster, I might bring a rable out of Scotland able to fur|nish vp a calendar, though the yere were twise as long.

As touching Pelagius the first heretike that euer was bred in this realme (notablie knowne) and parent of Monachisme, it is certeine, that before his corrupti|on and fall, he was taken for a man of singular lear|ning, deepe iudgement, and such a one, as vpon whome for his great gifts in teaching and strictnesse of life, no small péece of the hope and expectation of the people did depend. But what is wisedome of the flesh, without the feare and true knowledge of God? and what is lear|ning except it be handmaid to veritie and sound iudge|ment? Wherefore euen of this man, we may see it veri|fied, that one Roger Bakon pronounced long after of the corruption of his time,Roger Ba|kon his sai|eng of the preachers of his time who were the best law|yers and the worst Di|uines. when all things were measu|red by wit and worldlie policie, rather than by the scri|ptures or guidance of the spirit; Better it is saith he, to heare a rude and simple idiot preach the truth, without apparance of skill and learned eloquence, than a pro|found clearke to set foorth error, with great shew of learning, and boast of filed vtterance. Gerson in like sort hath said fullie asmuch. These follies of Pelagius were blased abroad about the 400. of Christ, and from thencefoorth how his number of monkes increased on the one side, and his doctrine on the other, there is al|most no reader that is vnskilfull and ignorant.

This also is certeine, that within the space of 200. yeares and odde,More than 2100. mon|kes in the College or Abbaie of Bangor in whose terri|tories the parish of O|uerto illegible stan|deth. there were manie more than 2100. monkes gathered togither in his house, whose trades notwithstanding the errors of their founder, (who taught such an estimation of merits and bodilie exer|cise (as Paule calleth it) that therby he sought not onlie to impugne, but also preuent grace, which was in deed the originall occasion of the erection of his house) were yet farre better and more godlie than all those religi|ous orders, that were inuented of later time, wherein the professours liued to themselues, their wombs and the licentious fruition of those parts, that are beneath the bellie. For these laboured continuallie for their owne liuings, at vacant times from praier (as did Se|rapions monkes,Niceph. lib. 11. cap. 34. which were 10000. ouer whome he himselfe was Abbat) and likewise for the better main|tenance of such learned men as were their appointed preachers. Their liues also were correspondent to their doctrine, so that herein onelie they seemed intollerable, in that they had confidence in their déeds, and no war|rant out of the word for their succor & defense, but were such a plant as the heauenlie father had not planted, and therefore no maruell, though afterward they were raised by the roots.

But as Pelagius and his adherents had a time to infect the church of Christ in Britaine, so the liuing God hath had a season also to purge and cleanse the same, though not by a full reformation of doctrine, sith Germanu illegible , Lupus, Palladius, Patricius, Germanus, Lupus, Pal|ladius, Pa|tricius. and such like leaning for the most part vnto the monasticall trades, did not so much condemne the generall errors of Pe|lagius one waie, as mainteine the same, or as euill opi|nions another. For as Patricke séemed to like well of the honoring of the dead, so Germanus being in Bri|taine repaired an old chapell to s. Albane, wherein Lupus also praied, as Palladius vph illegible ld the strictnesse of life, in monasticall profession to the vttermost of his power.Se illegible Sul|piti illegible s in vi|ta Patrick. Wherfore God wrought this purgation of his house at the first, rather by taking awaie the wicked and pompous schoolemaisters of errour out of this life: hoping that by such meanes, his people would haue gi|uen eare to the godlie that remained. But in processe of time, when this his mercifull dealing was forgotten and our countriemen returned to their former disor|ders, he brought in the Saxons, who left no idoll vnho|nored, no not their filthie Priapus, vnto whom the wo|men builded temples, and made a beastlie image (Cum pene intenso, and as if he had beene circumcised) whome they called Ithypallus, Verpus, and as Goropius At|vatic. pag. 26. addeth, Ters: calling vpon him in ma|ner at euerie word, yea at the verie fall of a knife out of their hands, and not counted anie shame vnto the most ancient and sober matrone of them all. Howbeit when this procéeding of the Lord could also take no place, and the shéepe of his pasture would receiue no wholesome fodder, it pleased his maiestie, to let them run on headlong from one iniquitie to another, in so|much that after the doctrine of Pelagius, it receiued that of Rome also, Augustine the monke. brought in by Augustine and his monkes, whereby it was to be seene, how they fell from the truth into heresie, and from one heresie still into an|other, till at the last they were drowned altogither in the pits of error digged vp by Antichrist, wels in deed that hold no water, which notwithstanding to their fol|lowers séemed to be most sound doctrine, and cisterns of liuing water to such as imbraced the same.

This Augustine, Augustine. after his arriuall, conuerted the Saxons in déed from paganisme, but as the prouerbe saith, bringing them out of Gods blessing into the warme sunne, he also imbued them with no lesse hurt|full superstition, than they did know before: for beside the onelie name of Christ, and externall contempt of their pristinate idolatrie, he taught them nothing at all, but rather (I saie) made an exchange from grosse to subtill treacherie, from open to secret idolatrie, & from the name of pagans, to the bare title of christians, thinking this sufficient for their soules health, and the stablishment of his monachisme, of which kind of pro|fession, the holie scriptures of God can in no wise like or allow. But what cared he? sith he got the great fish for which he did cast his hooke, and so great was the fish that he caught in déed, that within the space of 1000. yeares, and lesse, it deuoured the fourth part & more of the best soile of the Iland, which was wholie bestowed vpon his monkes, & other religious broodes that were hatched since his time, as may hereafter appéere in the booke following, where I intreate of cities, townes, &c. In the meane season what successe his monkes had at Canturburie,Monks of Canturbu|rie plagued. how oft they were spoiled by enimies, their houses burned by casualtie, and brethren consu|med with pestilence, I refer me to Gotcellius, Houe|den, Geruase, and the rest of their owne historiogra|phers. And so sore did the pestilence rage among them in the time of Celnothus (in whose daics the preests, clerks and monkes sang their seruice togither in the quire, that (of I wote not how manie) there remained onelie fiue aliue, which was a notable token of the fu|rie and wrath of God conceiued and executed against that malignant generation. It came also to passe at the last, that men vsed to praie for helpe at the said Au|gustines tumble (although afterward Thomas Becket a newer saint did not a little deface his glorie) among which king Athelstane was one, whome Elnothus the abbat staied so long in the place, when he came thither to praie, that his soldiours waiting for his comming, and supposing the monkes to haue murdered him, be|gan to giue an assault and set fire vpon the house.

Whilest these things were thus in hand, in the south part of Albion, the Meates,Meates. Picts, Pictes. and Caledoniens, Caledo|niens. which lie beyond the Scotish sea, receiued also the faith, by preaching of such christian elders as aduentured thither dailie, who trauelled not without great successe and increase of perfect godlines in that part of the Ile. Certes this prosperous attempt passed all mens expe|ctation, for that these nations were in those daies re|puted wild, sauage, and more vnfaithfull and craftie than well-minded people (as the wild Irish are in my time) and such were they (to saie the truth) in déed, as nei|ther the sugred courtesie, nor sharpe swords of the Ro|mans could mollifie or restraine from their naturall furie, or bring to anie good order. For this cause also in the end, the Romane emperours did vtterlie cast them off as an vnprofitable, brutish, & vntameable nation, and by an huge wall herafter to be described, separated that rude companie from the more mild and ciuill portion.

This conuersion of the north parts fell out in the sixt yeare before the warres that Seuerus had in those quarters,Scotland conuerted to the faith of Christ. and 170. after the death of our sauiour Iesus Christ. From thenceforth also the christian religion con|tinued still among them, by the diligent care of their pastors and bishops (after the vse of the churches of the south part of this Iland) till the Romane shéepheard sought them out, and found the meanes to pull them vn|to him in like sort with his long staffe as he had done our countriemen, whereby in the end he abolished the rites of the churches of Asia there also, as Augustine had done alreadie in England: and in stéed of the same did furnish it vp with those of his pontificall see, al|though there was great contention, and no lesse blood|shed made amongst them, before it could be brought to passe, as by the histories of both nations yet extant may be séene.

In the time of Coelestine bishop of Rome,Paladius. who sa illegible e in the 423. of Christ, one Paladius a Grecian borne (to whome Cyrill wrote his dialog De adoratione in spiritu) and sometime disciple to Iohn 24.The first at|tempt of the bishop of Rome to bring Scot|land vnder his obedi|ence. bishop of Ierusalem, came ouer from Rome into Britaine, there to suppresse the Pelagian heresie, which not a little molested the or|thodoxes of that Iland. And hauing doone much good in the extinguishing of the aforsaid opinion there, he went at the last also into Scotland, supposing no lesse, but af|ter he had trauelled somwhat in confutation of the Pe|lagians in those parts, he should easilie persuade that crooked nation to admit and receiue the rites of the church of Rome, as he would faine haue doone before|hand in the south. But as Fastidius Priscus archbishop of London, Fastidius bi|shop of Lon|don. and his Suffragans resisted him here; so did the Scotish prelates withstand him there also in this behalfe: howbeit, bicause of the authoritie of his commission, grauitie of personage, and the great gift which he had in the veine of pleasant persuasion (where|by he drew the people after him, as Orpheus did the stones with his harpe, and Hercules such as heard him by his toong) they had him not onelie then in great ad|miration, but their successors also from time to time, and euen now are contented (and the rather also for that he came from Rome) to take him for their chéefe apostle, reckoning from his comming as from the faith receiued, Paladius ac|compted for the apostle of the Scots which was in the 431. yeare of Christ, as the truth of their historie dooth verie well confirme.

Thus we see what religion hath from time to time beene receiued in this Iland, & how and when the faith of Christ came first into our countrie. Howbeit as in processe of time it was ouershadowed, and corrupted with the dreames and fantasticall imaginations of man, so it dailie waxed woorse & woorse, till that it plea|sed God to restore the preaching of his gospell in our daies, whereby the man of sinne is now openlie reuea|led, and the puritie of the word once againe brought to light, to the finall ouerthrow of the Romish sathan, and his popish adherents that honour him daie and night to the vttermost of their power, yeelding vp their harts as temples for him to dwell in, which rather ought to be the temples of God and habitations of the Holy-ghost, But such is their peruerse ignorance (notwithstanding that Paule hath giuen warning of him alreadie 2. Thes. 2. calling him (as I said) the man of sinne, and saieng that he sitteth as God in the temple of God, shewing himselfe in his chalenge of power, as if he were God, vnder pretense of zeale vnto true religion) that they will not giue eare vnto the truth, but rather shut their eares and their eies from hearing and reading of the scriptures, bicause they will not be drawne out of his snares and bondage.

_THere are néere vnto, or not ve|rie farre from the coasts of Bri|taine many faire Ilands, wher|of Ireland with hir neighbors (not here handled) séeme to be the cheefe. But of the rest, some are much larger or lesse than o|ther, diuers in like sort enuiro|ned continuallie with the salt sea (whereof I purpose onelie to intreat, although not a few of them be I|lands but at the floud) and other finallie be clipped part|lie by the fresh and partlie by the salt water, or by the fresh alone, whereof I may speake afterward.

Of these salt Ilands (for so I call them that are en|uironed with the Ocean waues) some are fruitfull in wood, corne, wild foule, and pasture ground for cattell, albeit that manie of them be accounted barren, bi|cause they are onelie replenished with conies, and those of sundrie colours (cherished of purpose by the owners, for their skins or carcases in their prouision of house|hold) without either man or woman otherwise inha|biting in them. Furthermore, the greatest number of these Ilands haue townes and parish-churches, with|in their seuerall precincts, some mo, some lesse: and be|side all this, are so inriched with commodities, that they haue pleasant hauens, fresh springs, great store of fish, and plentie of cattell, wherby the inhabitants doo reape no small aduantage. How manie they are in number I cannot as yet determine, bicause mine informati|ons are not so fullie set downe, as the promises of some on the one side, & mine expectation on the other did ex|tend vnto. Howbeit, first of all that there are certeine which lie neere togither, as it were by heapes and clu|sters, I hope none will readilie denie. Of these also those called the Nesiadae,Nesiadae, InsulaeInsulae Scylurum,Scylurum, Silcustrae,Silcustrae. Syllanae, Syllanae. now the Sorlings, Sorlingae. and Iles of Silley, Sylley. lieng be|yond Cornwall are one, and confe illegible eth in number one hundreth fourtie and seauen (each of them bearing grasse) besides shelfes and shallowes. In like sort the companie of the Hebr illegible des Hebrides. in old time subiect vnto Ire|land are another,Hebudes. which are said to be 43. situat vpon the west side of this Iand,Meuaniae. betweene Ireland & Scot|land, and of which there are some that repute Anglesei,Orchades. Mona Caesaris, and other lieng betweene them to be parcell, in their corrupted iudgement. The third cluster or bunch consisteth of those that are called the Or|chades, and these lie vpon the northwest point of Scot|land, being 31. aliàs 28. in number, as for the rest they lie scattered here and there, and yet not to be vntouched as their courses shall come about. There are also the 18. Shetland Iles, and other yet farther distant from them, of which Iohn Frobuser I doubt not touched vpon some in his voiage to Meta Incognita: but for somuch as I must speake of the Shetlands hereafter, I doo not meane to spend anie time about them as yet.

There haue beene diuers that haue written of pur|pose, De insulis Britanniae, as Caesar doth confesse. The like also may be seene by Plutarch, who nameth one Deme|trius a Britaine, that should set foorth an exact treatise of each of them in order, and among other tell of cer|teine desert Iles beyond Scotland dedicated to sun|drie gods and goddesses, but of one especiallie, where Briareus should hold Saturne and manie other spirits fast bound with the chaines of an heauie sléepe, as he heard, of which some die now and then, by meane wher|of the aire becommeth maruellouslie troubled, &c: as you may sée in Plutarch De cessatione oraculorum, &c. But sith those bookes are now perished, and the most of the said Ilands remaine vtterlie vnknowen, euen to our owne selues (for who is able in our time to say where is Glota, Hiuerion, Etta, Iduna, Armia, Aesarea, Barsa, Isiandium, Icdelis, Xantisma, Indelis, Siata, Ga. Andros or Edros, Siambis, Xanthos, Ricnea, Menapia, &c? whose names onelie are lest in memorie by ancient writers, but I saie their places not so much as heard of in our daies) I meane (God willing) to set downe so manie of them with their commodities, as I doo either know by Leland, or am otherwise instructed of by such as are of credit. Herein also I will touch at large those that are most famous, and breeflie passe ouer such as are obscure and vnknowen, making mine entrance at the Thames mouth, and directing this imagined course (for I neuer sailed it) by the south part of the Iland into the west. From thence in like sort I will proceed into the north, & come about againe by the east side into the fall of the aforesaid streame, where I will strike saile, and safelie be set a shore, that haue often in this voiage wanted water, but oftener béene set a ground, especiallie on the Scotish side.

In beginning therefore, with such as lie in the mouth of the aforesaid riuer, I must néeds passe by the How,Hoo. which is not an Iland, and therefore not within the compasse of my description at this time, but almost an Iland, which parcels the Latins call Peninsulas, and I doo english a Byland, vsing the word for such as a man may go into drie-footed at the full sea, or on horsse|backe at the low water without anie boat or vessell: and such a one almost is Rochford hundred in Essex al|so, yet not at this time to be spoken of, bicause not the sea onelie but the fresh water also doth in maner enui|ron it, and is the cheefe occasion wherfore it is called an Iland. This How lieth between Cliffe (in old time cal|led Clouesho, to wit, Cliffe in How or in the hundred of How) & the midwaie that goeth along by Rochester, of which hundred there goeth an old prouerbe in rime after this maner: He that rideth into the hundred of How, Beside pilfering sea-men shall find durt ynow.

Next vnto this we haue the Greane, Greane. wherein is a towne of the same denomination, an Ile supposed to be foure miles in length, and two in bredth. Then come we to Shepey, Shepey. which Ptolomie calleth Counos, conteining seauen miles in length, and three in bredth, wherein is a castell called Quinborow, and a parke, beside foure townes, of which one is named Minster, another East|church, the third Warden, and the fourth Leyden: the whole soile being throughlie fed with shéepe, verie well woodded, and (as I heare) belongeth to the Lord Chey|ney, as parcell of his inheritance. It lieth thirtéene miles by water from Rochester, but the castell is fif|téene, and by south thereof are two small Ilands,Elmesie. Herresie. wher|of the one is called Elmesie, and the more easterlie Her|tesie. In this also is a towne called Hertie, or Hartie, and all in the Lath of Scraie, notwithstanding that Hartie lieth in the hundred of Feuersham, and Shepey reteineth one especiall Bailie of hir owne.

From hence we passe by the Reculuers (or territo|rie belonging in time past to one Raculphus, who ere|cted an house of religion, or some such thing there) vnto a little Iland in the Stoure mouth. Herevpon also the Thanet abutteth,Srureey. Thanet. which Ptolomie calleth Toliapis, other Athanatos, bicause serpents are supposed not to liue in the same, howbeit sith it is not enuironed with the sea, it is not to be dealt withall as an Iland in this place, albeit I will not let to borow of my determination, and describe it as I go, bicause it is so fruitfull. Beda noteth it in times past to haue conteined 600. families, which are all one with Hidelands,In Lin|colneshire the word Hide or hideland, was neuer in vse in old time as in o|ther places, but for Hide they vsed the word Caru|cate or illegible art|ware, or Teme, and these were of no lesse com|passe than an Hideland. Ploughlands, Car|rucates, or Temewares. He addeth also that it is di|uided from our continent, by the riuer called Want|sume, which is about thrée furlongs broad, and to be pas|sed ouer in two places onelie. But whereas Polydore saieth, the Thanet is nine miles in length & not much lesse in bredth, it is now reckoned that it hath not much aboue seauen miles from Nordtmuth to Sandwich, and foure in bredth, from the Stoure to Margate, or from the south to the north, the circuit of the whole being 17. or 18. as Leland also noteth. This Iland hath no wood growing in it except it be forced, and yet other|wise it is verie fruitfull, and beside that it wanteth few other commodities,Ex Hugone le blanc Mo|nacho Petro|b illegible gensi. the finest chalke is said to be found there. Herein also did Augustine the moonke first ar|riue, when he came to conuert the Saxons, and after|ward in processe of time, sundry religious houses were erected there, as in a soile much bettered (as the super|sticious supposed) by the steps of that holy man, & such as came ouer with him. There are at this time 10. parish churches at the least in the Ile of Thanet, as S. Nicho|las, Birchington, S. Iohns, Wood or Woodchurch, S. Pe|ters, S. Laurence, Mownton or Monkeron, Minster, S. Gyles, and all Saincts, whereof M. Lambert hath writ|ten at large in his description of Kent, and placed the same in the Lath of sainct Augustine and hundred of Kingslow, as may easilie be séene to him that will per|use it.

Sometime Rutupium or (as Beda calleth it) Repta|cester, Rutupium. stood also in this Iland, but now thorough alte|ration of the chanell of the Dour, it is shut quite out, and annexed to the maine. It is called in these daies Richborow, and as it should seeme builded vpon an in|different soile or high ground. The large brickes also yet to be seene there, in the ruinous walles, declare ei|ther the Romane or the old British workemanship. But as time decaieth all things, so Rutupium named Ruptimuth is now become desolate, and out of the dust thereof Sandwich producted, which standeth a full mile from the place where Reptacester stood. The old wri|ters affirme, how Arthur & Mordred fought one notable battell here, wherin Gwallon or Gawan was slaine; at which time the said rebell came against his souereigne with 70000. Picts, Scots, Irish, Norwegiens, &c: and with Ethelbert the first christian king of Kent did hold his palace in this towne, and yet none of his coine hath hitherto beene found there, as is dailie that of the Romanes, whereof manie péeces of siluer and gold, so well as of brasse, copper, and other mettall haue often beene shewed vnto me. It should appéere in like sort, that of this place, all the whole coast of Kent therabout was called Littus Rutupinum, which some doo not a lit|tle confirme by these words of Lucane, to be read in his sixt booke soone after the beginning Aut vaga cum Tethis, Rutupinà littora feruent, Vnda Calidonios fallit turbata Britannos. Or when the wandering seas and Kentish coasts doo worke, And Calidons of British bloud,The last verse of one couple and first of an other. the troubled waues beguile.

Meaning in like sort by the latter, the coast néere Andredeswald, which in time past was called Littus Calidonium of that wood or forrest, as Leland also confirmeth. But as it is not my mind to deale anie thing curiouslie in these by-matters, so in returning a|gaine to my purpose, and taking my iourney toward the Wight, I must needs passe by Selesey, which some|time (as it should séeme) hath béene a noble Iland,Seolesey of Seles there taken. but now in maner a Byland or Peninsula, wherin the chéefe sée of the bishop of Chichester was holden by the space of thrée hundred twentie nine yeares, and vnder twentie bishops.

Next vnto this, we come vnto those that lie betweene the Wight and the maine land, of which the most easter|lie is called Thorne,Thorne. and to saie truth, the verie least of all that are to be found in that knot. Being past the Thorne, we touched vpon the Haling, which is bigger than the Thorne, and wherein one towne is situat of the same denomination beside another, whose name I remember not.Haling. By west also of the Haling lieth the Port (the greatest of the three alreadie mentioned) and in this standeth Portsmouth and Ringstéed, whereof al|so our Leland, saieth thus: Port Ile is cut from the shore by an arme of the maine hauen, which breaketh out about thrée miles aboue Portsmouth, and goeth vp two miles or more by morish ground to a place called Portbridge,Port. which is two miles from Portsmouth. Then breaketh there out another créeke from the maine sea, about Auant hauen, which gulleth vp almost to Portbridge, and thence is the ground disseuered, so that Portsmouth standeth in a corner of this Ile, which Iland is in length six miles, and three miles in bredth, verie good for grasse and corne, not without some wood, and here and there inclosure. Beside this, there is also another Iland north northwest of Port Ile, which is now so worne and washed awaie with the working of the sea, that at the spring tides it is wholie couered with water, and thereby made vnprofitable. Finallie being past all these, and in compassing this gulfe, we come by an other, which lieth north of Hirst castell, & south|east of Kaie hauen, whereof I find nothing worthie to be noted, sauing that it wanteth wood, as Ptolomie af|firmeth in his Geographicall tables of all those Ilands which enuiron our Albion.

The Wight is called in Latine Vectis, Wight. Guidh. but in the British speach Guidh, that is to saie, Eefe or easie to be séene, or (as D. Caius saith) separate, bicause that by a breach of the sea, it was once diuided from the maine, as Sicilia was also from Italie, Anglesei from Wales, Foulenesse from Essex, & Quinborow from Kent. It lieth distant from the south shore of Britaine (where it is fardest off) by fiue miles & a halfe, but where it com|meth neerest, not passing a thousand paces, and this at the cut ouer betwéene Hirst castell and a place called Whetwell chine, as the inhabitants doo report. It con|teineth in length twentie miles, and in bredth ten, it hath also the north pole eleuated by 50. degrées and 27. minutes, and is onelie 18. degrees in distance, and 50. od minuts from the west point, as experience hath confirmed, contrarie to the description of Ptolomie, and such as folow his assertions in the same. In forme, it representeth almost an eg, and so well is it inhabited with meere English at this present, that there are thir|tie six townes, villages and castels to be found therein, be side 27. parish-churches, of which 15. or 16. haue their Parsons, the rest either such poore Uicars or Curats, as the liuings left are able to sustaine. The names of the parishes in the Wight are these.

It belongeth for temporall iurisdiction to the countie of Hamshire, but in spirituall cases it yéeldeth obe|dience to the sée of Winchester, wherof it is a Deane|rie. As for the soile of the whole Iland, it is verie fruit|full, for notwithstanding the shore of it selfe be verie full of rocks and craggie cliffes, yet there wanteth no plentie of cattell, corne, pasture, medow ground, wild foule, fish, fresh riuers, and pleasant woods, whereby the inhabitants may liue in ease and welfare. It was first ruled by a seuerall king, and afterwards wonne from the Britons by Vespasian the legat, at such time as he made a voiage into the west countrie. In pro|cesse of time also it was gotten from the Romans by the kings of Sussex, who held the souereignti illegible of the same, and kept the king thereof vnder tribute, till it was wonne also from them, in the time of Athelwold, the eight king of the said south region, by Ceadwalla, who killed Aruald that reigned there, and reserued the souereigntie of that Ile to himselfe and his successors for euermore. At this time also there were 1200. fa|milies in that Iland, whereof the said Ceadwalla gaue 300 to Wilfride sometime bishop of Yorke, exhorting him to erect a church there, and preach the gospell also to the inhabitants thereof, which he in like maner perfor|med, but according to the precriptions of the church of Rome, wherevnto he yéelded himselfe vassall and feu|darie: so that this Ile by Wilfride was first conuerted to the faith, though the last of all other that hearke|ned vnto the word. After Ceadwalla, Woolfride the parricide was the first Saxon prince that aduentu|red to flie into the Wight for his safegard, whither he was driuen by Kenwalch of the Westsaxons, who made great warres vpon him, and in the end compelled him to go into this place for succour, as did also king Iohn, in the rebellious stir of his Barons, practised by the clergie: the said Iland being as then in possession of the Forts, as some doo write that haue handled it of purpose. The first Earle of this Iland that I doo read of, was one Baldwijne de Betoun, who married for his second wife, the daughter of William le Grosse Earle of Awmarle; but he dieng without issue by this ladie, she was maried the second time to Earle Maundeuile, and thirdlie to William de Fortes, who finished Skip|ton castell, which his wiues father had begun about the time of king Richard the first. Hereby it came to passe also, that the Forts were Earls of Awmarle, Wight, and Deuonshire a long time, till the ladie Elizabeth Fortes, sole heire to all those possessions came to age, with whom king Edward the third so preuailed through monie & faire words, that he gat the possession of the Wight wholie into his hands, & held it to himselfe & his successors, vntill Henrie the sixt, about the twentieth of his reigne, crowned Henrie Beauchamp sonne to the lord Richard Earle of Warwike king thereof and of Iardesey and Gardesey with his owne hands, and thervnto gaue him a commendation of the Dutchie of Warwike with the titles of Comes comitum Angliae, lord Spenser of Aburgauenie, and of the castell of Bristow (which castell was sometime taken from his ancestors by king Iohn) albeit he did not long enioy these great honors, sith he died 1446. without issue, and seuen yéeres after his father.

After we be past the Wight, we go forward and come vnto Poole hauen, wherein is an Ile, called Brunt Keysy, Brunt Keysy. in which was sometime a parish church, and but a chapell at this present, as I heare. There are also two other Iles, but as yet I know not their names.

We haue (after we are passed by these) another Ile, or rather Byland also vpon the coast named Portland not far from Waymouth or the Gowy,Portland. a prettie fertile peece though without wood, of ten miles in circuit, now well inhabited, but much better heretofore, and yet are there about foure score housholds in it. There is but one street of houses therein, the rest are dis|persed, howbeit they belong all to one parish-church, whereas in time past there were two within the com|passe of the same. There is also a castell of the kings, who is lord of the Ile, although the bishop of Winche|ster be patrone of the church, the parsonage whereof is the fairest house in all the péece. The people there are no lesse excellent stingers of stones than were the Ba|leares, who would neuer giue their children their din|ners till they had gotten the same with their stings, and therefore their parents vsed to hang their meate verie high vpon some bough, to the end that he which strake it downe might onlie haue it, whereas such as missed were sure to go without it, Florus lib. 3. cap. 8. Which feat the Portlands vse for the defense of their Iland, and yet otherwise are verie couetous. And wheras in time past they liued onlie by fishing, now they fall to tillage. Their fire bote is brought out of the Wight, and other places, yet doo they burne much cow doong dri|ed in the sunne, for there is I saie no wood in the Ile, ex|cept a few elmes that be about the church. There would some grow there, no doubt, if they were willing to plant it, although the soile lie verie bleake and open. It is not long since this was vnited to the maine, and likelie yer long to be cut off againe.

Being past this we raise another, also in the mouth of the Gowy, betweene Colsford and Lime, of which for the smalnesse thereof I make no great account. Wherefore giuing ouer to intreat any farther of it,Iardsey. I cast about to Iardsey, and Gardesey,Gardesey. which Iles with their appurtenances apperteined in times past to the Dukes of Normandie, but now they remaine to our Quéene, as parcell of Hamshire and iurisdiction of Winchester, & belonging to hir crowne, by meanes of a composition made betwéene K. Iohn of England and the K. of France, when the dominions of the said prince began so fast to decrease, as Thomas Sulmo saith.

Of these two,Iardsey. Iardsey is the greatest, an Iland hauing thirtie miles in compasse, as most men doo con|iecture. There are likewise in the same twelue parish-churches, with a colledge, which hath a Deane and Prebends. It is distant from Gardsey full 21. miles, or therabouts, and made notable, by meanes of a blou|die fact doone there in Queene Maries daies, whereby a woman called Perotine Massie wife vnto an honest minister or préest, being great with childe by hir hus|band, was burned to ashes: through the excéeding crueltie of the Deane and Chapiter, then contending manifestlie against God for the mainteinance of their popish and antichristian kingdome. In this hir execu|tion, and at such time as the fire caught holde of hir wombe, hir bellie brake, and there issued a goodly man|childe from hir, with such force that it fell vpon the cold ground quite beyond the heate and furie of the flame, which quicklie was taken vp and giuen from one tor|mentor and aduersarie to an other to looke vpon, whose eies being after a while satisfied with the beholding thereof,Horrible murther. they threw it vnto the carcase of the mother which burned in the fire, whereby the poore innocent was consumed to ashes, whom that furious element would gladlie haue left vntouched,Gardsey. & wherevnto it mi|nistred (as you heare) an hurtlesse passage. In this lat|ter also, there haue béene in times past, fiue religious houses, and nine castels, howbeit in these daies there is but one parish-church lest standing in the same. There are also certeine other small Ilands, which Henrie the second in his donation calleth Insulettas, beside verie manie rocks whereof one called S. Hilaries S. Hilaries. (wherein sometime was a monasterie) is fast vpon Iardsey, ano|ther is named the Cornet, Cornet. which hath a castel not passing an arrow shot from Gardsey.Serke. The Serke also is be|twéene both, which is six miles about, and hath another annexed to it by an Isthmus or Strictland, wherein was a religious house, & therwithall great store of conies.

There is also the Brehoc,Brehoc. the Gytho,Gytho. and the Herme,Herme. which latter is foure miles in compasse, and therein was sometime a Canonrie, that afterward was con|uerted into an house of Franciscanes. There are two other likewise neere vnto that of S. Hilarie, of whose names I haue no notice. There is also the rockie Ile of Burhoo, Burhoo, ali|às the Ile of rats. but now the Ile of rats, so called of the huge plentie of rats that are found there, though otherwise it be replenished with infinit store of conies, betwéene whome and the rats, as I coniecture, the same which we call Turkie conies,Turkie co|nies. are oftentimes produced among those few houses that are to be seene in this Iland. Some are of the opinion that there hath béene more store of building in this Ile than is at this present to be seene, & that it became abandoned through multitudes of rats, but hereof I find no perfect warrantise that I may safelie trust vnto, yet in other places I read of the like thing to haue happened, as in Gyara of the Cycla|des, where the rats increased so fast that they drauc a|way the people. Varro speaketh of a towne in Spaine that was ouerthrowne by conies. The Abderits were driuen out of Thracia by the increase of mice & frogs; and so manie conies were there on a time in the Iles Maiorca and Minorca (now perteining to Spaine) that the people began to starue for want of bread, and their cattell for lacke of grasse. And bicause the Iland|ers were not able to ouercome them, Augustus was constreined to send an armie of men to destroie that needlesse brood. Plin. lib. 8. cap. 55. A towne also in France sometime became desolate onelie by frogs and todes. Another in Africa by locustes and also by grashoppers, as Amicla was by snakes and adders.Causes of the desolati|on of sundrie cities and townes. Theophrast telleth of an whole countrie consumed by the palmer-worme, which is like vnto an huge cater|piller. Plinie writeth of a prouince vpon the borders of Aethiopia made void of people by ants and scorpions, and how the citizens of Megara in Grecia were faine to leaue that citie through multitudes of bées, as waspes had almost driuen the Ephensians out of Ephe|sus. But this of all other (whereof Aelianus intreateth) is most woonderfull, that when the Cretenses were cha|sed out of a famous citie of their Iland by infinit num|bers of bees, the said bees conuerted their houses into hiues, and made large combes in them which reached from wall to wall, wherein they reserued their honie. Which things being dulie considered, I doo not denie the possibilitie of the expulsion of the inhabitants out of the Ile of Burho by rats, although I say that I doo not warrant the effect, bicause I find it not set downe directlie in plaine words.

Beside this there is moreouer the Ile of Alderney a verie pretie plot,Alderney. about seuen miles in compasse, wher|in in a préest not long since did find a coffin of stone, in which lay the bodie of an huge giant, whose fore téeth were so big as a mans fist, as Leland dooth report.Comment. Cer|tes this to me is no maruell at all,Brit. sith I haue read of greater, and mentioned them alreadie in the begin|ning of this booke. Such a tooth also haue they in Spaine wherevnto they go in pilgrimage as vnto S. Christo|phers tooth, but it was one of his eie teeth, if Ludouicus Viues say true, who went thither to offer vnto the same. S. August. de ciuit. lib. 15. cap. 9. writeth in like sort, of such another found vpon the coast of Vtica, and thereby gathereth that all men in time past were not onlie far greater than they be now, but also the giants farre exceeding the huge stature and height of the high|est of them all.Iliad. 6. Homer complaineth that men in his time were but dwarfes in comparison of such as liued in the wars of Troy. See his fift Iliad, where he spea|keth of Diomedes, Iliad 5. & 7. and how he threw a stone at Aeneas, (which 14. men of his time were not able to stirre) and therewith did hit him on the thigh and ouerthrew him. Virgil also noteth no lesse, in his owne deuise,Virgilius Aen. 12. but Iu|uenall bréefelie comprehendeth all this in his 15. Satya, where he saith: Saxa inclinatis per humum quaesita lacertis Incipiunt torquere, domestica seditione Tela, nec hunc lapidem, quali se Turnus, & Aiax, Et quo Tytides percussit pondere coxam Aeneae: sed quem valeant emittere dextrae Illis dissimiles, & nostro tempore nata. Nam genus hoc viuo iam decrescebat Homero, Terra malos homines nunc educat, atque pusillos, Ergo Deus quicunque aspexit, ridet, & odit.

But to returne againe vnto the Ile of Alderney, from whence I haue digressed. Herein also is a prettie towne with a parish-church, great plentie of corne, cattell, conies, and wilde foule, whereby the inhabi|tants doo reape much gaine and commoditie: onelie wood is their want, which they otherwise supplie. The language also of such as dwell in these Iles, is French; but the wearing of their haire long, & the attire of those that liued in Gardsey and Iardsey, vntill the time of king Henrie the eight, was all after the Irish guise. The Ile of Gardsey also was sore spoiled by the French 1371. and left so desolate, that onlie one castell remai|ned therein vntouched.

Beyond this, and neere vnto the coast of England (for these doo lie about the verie middest of the British sea) we haue one Iland called the Bruch or the Bruch|sey,Bruchsey. lieng about two miles from Poole, whither men saile from the Fromouth, and wherein is nought else, but an old chapell, without any other housing.

Next to this also are certeine rocks, which some take for Iles, as Illeston rocke néere vnto Peritorie, Horestan Ile a mile from Peritorie by south, Blacke rocke Ile southeast from Peritorie toward Teygne|mouth, and also Chester, otherwise called Plegimund|ham: but how (to saie truth) or where this latter lieth, I cannot make report as yet, neuerthelesse sith Le|land noteth them togither, I thinke it not my part to make separation of them.

From hence the next Ile is called Mount. Iland,Mount Iland. o|therwise Mowtland, situate ouer against Lough, a|bout two miles from the shore, and well néere thrée miles in compasse. This Iland hath no inhabitants, but onelie the warrenner and his dog, who looketh vn|to the conies there: notwithstanding that vpon the coast thereof in time of the yeere, great store of pil|chards is taken, and carried from thence into manie places of our countrie. It hath also a fresh well com|ming out of the rocks, which is worthie to be noted in so small a compasse of ground. Moreouer in the mouth of the créeke that leadeth vnto Lough, or Loow, as some call it, there is another little Iland of about eight acres of ground called S. Nicholas Ile,S. Nicholas Iland. and midwaie betweene Falmouth and Dudman (a certeine Pro|montorie is such another named the Gréefe,Greefe. wherein is great store of gulles & sea foule. As for Inis Pry|nin,Inis Pry|nin. it lieth within the Baie, about three miles from Li|zards, and containeth not aboue two acres of ground, from which Newltjn is not far distant, and wherein is a poore fisher-towne and a faire wel-spring, wherof as yet no writer hath made mention. After these (omit|ting Pendinant in the point of Falmouth hauen) we came at last to saint Michaels mount,S. Micha|els mount. whereof I find this description readie to my hand in Leland.

The compasse of the root of the mount of saint Mi|chael is not much more than halfe a mile, and of this the south part is pasturable and bréedeth conies, the resi|due high and rockie soile. In the north side thereof al|so is a garden, with certeine houses and shops for fisher|men. Furthermore, the waie to the mountaine lieth at the north side, and is frequented from halfe eb to halfe floud, the entrance beginning at the foot of the hill, and so ascending by steps and greeces westward, first; and then eastward to the vtter ward of the church. Within the same ward also is a court stronglie walled, wherein on the south side is a chapell of S. Michaell, and in the east side another of our ladie. Manie times a man may come to the hill on foot. On the north northwest side hereof also, is a Piere for botes and ships, and in the Baie betwixt the mount and Pensardz are seene at the lowe water marke, diuers roots and stubs of trées, beside hewen stone, sometimes of doores & windowes, which are perceiued in the inner part of the Baie, and import that there hath not onelie beene building, but al|so firme ground, whereas the salt water doth now rule and beare the maisterie. Beyond this is an other little Ile, called S. Clements Ile, of a chapell there de|dicated to that saint.S. Cle|ments Ile. It hath a little from it also the Ile called Mowshole, which is not touched in any Chard. As for Mowshole it selfe, it is a towne of the maine, called in Cornish Port Enis, that is, Portus insulae, whereof the said Ile taketh denomination, and in tin workes néere vnto the same there hath beene found of late, speare heds, battell axes, and swords of copper wrapped vp in linnen, and scarselie hurt with rust or other hinde|rance. Certes the sea hath won verie much in this cor|ner of our Iland, but chéefelie betwéene Mowshole and Pensardz.

Hauing thus passed ouer verie neere all such Iles, as lie vpon the south coast of Britaine, and now being come vnto the west part of our countrie, a sudden Pirie cat illegible heth hold of vs (as it did before, when we went to Iardsey) and carieth vs yet more westerlie a|mong the flats of Sylley. Such force dooth the south|east wind often shewe vpon poore trauellers in those parts,Sylley Iles or Syl. as the south and southwest dooth vpon stran|gers against the British coast, that are not skilfull of our rodes and harborowes. Howbeit such was our suc|cesse in this voiage, that we feared no rocks, more than did king Athelstane, when he subdued them (and soone after builded a colledge of preests at S. Burien, in performance of his vow made when he enterpri|sed this voiage for his safe returne) nor anie tempest of weather in those parts that could annoie our pas|sage. Perusing therefore the perils whereinto we were pitifullie plunged, we found the Syllane Ilands (pla|ces often robbed by the Frenchmen and Spaniards) to lie distant from the point of Cornewall, about three or foure hours sailing, or twentie English miles, as some men doo account it. There are of these (as I said) to the number of one hundreth fortie seauen in sight, whereof each one is greater or lesse than other, and most of them sometime inhabited: howbeit, there are twentie of them, which for their greatnesse and commodities ex|ceed all the rest. Thereto (if you respect their position) they are situat in maner of a circle or ring, hauing an huge lake or portion of the sea in the middest of them, which is not without perill to such as with small aduisement enter into the same. Certes it passeth my cunning, either to name or to describe all these one hundreth fourtie seauen, according to their estate; nei|ther haue I had anie information of them, more than I haue gathered by Leland, or gotten out of a map of their description, which I had sometime of Reginald Woolfe: wherfore omitting as it were all the rags, and such as are not worthie to haue anie time spent about their particular descriptions, I will onelie touch the greatest, and those that lie togither (as I said) in ma|ner of a roundle.

The first and greatest of these therefore,S. Maries Ile. called S. Maries Ile, is about fiue miles ouer, or nine miles in compasse. Therein also is a parish-church, and a poore towne belonging thereto, of threescore housholds, be|side a castell, plentie of corne, conies, wild swans, puffens, gulles, cranes, & other kinds of foule, in great abundance. This fertile Iland being thus viewed, we sailed southwards by the Norman rocke, and S. Maries sound vnto Agnus Ile, which is six miles ouer,Agnus Ile. and hath in like sort one towne or parish within the same of fiue or six housholds, beside no small store of hogs & conies of sundrie colours, verie profitable to their owners. It is not long since this Ile was left desolate, for when the inhabitants thereof returned from a feast holden in S. Maries Ile, they were all drowned, and not one person left aliue. There are also two other small Ilands, betwéene this and the Annot, whereof I find nothing worthie relation: for as both of them ioind togither are not comparable to the said Annot Annot. for greatnesse and circuit, so they want both hogs and conies, wherof An|not hath great plentie. There is moreouer the Minwi|sand, Minwisand. from whence we passe by the Smithy sound Smithy sound. (lea|uing thrée little Ilands on the left hand, vnto the Suar|tigan Suartigan. Iland, then to Rousuian, Rousuian. Rousuiar, Rousuiar. and the Creg|win, Cregwin. which seauen are (for the most part) replenished with conies onelie, and wild garlike, but void of wood & other commodities, sauing of a short kind of grasse, or here & there some firzes whereon their conies doo féed.

Leauing therefore these desert peeces, we incline a little toward the northwest, where we stumble or run vpon Moncarthat, Moncar|that. Inis Welseck, Inis Wel|seck. & Suethiall. Suethiall. We came in like sort vnto Rat Iland,Rat Iland. wherein are so manie mon|strous rats, that if anie horsses, or other beasts, happen to come thither, or be left there by negligence but one night, they are sure to be deuoured & eaten vp, without all hope of recouerie. There is moreouer the Anwall Anwall. and the Brier, Brier. Ilands in like sort void of all good furni|ture, conies onelie excepted, and the Brier (wherein is a village, castell, and parish-church) bringeth foorth no lesse store of hogs, and wild foule, than Rat Iland doth of rats, whereof I greatlie maruell.

By north of the Brier, lieth the Rusco, Rusco. which hath a Labell or Byland stretching out toward the southwest, called Inis widdon. Inis widdõ. This Rusco is verie neere so great as that of S. Maries. It hath moreouer an hold, and a parish within it, beside great store of conies and wild foule, whereof they make much gaine in due time of the yeare. Next vnto this we come to the Round Iland,Round I|land. which is about a mile ouer, then to S. Lides S. Lides. Iland, (wherein is a parish-church dedicated to that Saint, be|side conies, wood, and wild foule, of which two later there is some indifferent store) the Notho, Notho. the Auing, Auing. (one of them being situat by south of another, and the Auing halfe a mile ouer, which is a iust halfe lesse than the Notho) and the Tyan, Tyan. which later is a great Iland, furnished with a parish-church, and no small plentie of conies as I heare.S. Martines. After the Tyan we come to S. Mar|tines Ile, wherein is a faire towne, the Ile it selfe being next vnto the Rusco for greatnesse, and verie well fur|nished with conies & fresh springs. Also betwixt this and S. Maries, are ten other, smaller, which reach out of the northeast into the southwest, as Knolworth, Knolworth. Sniuil|liuer, Sniuilliuer. Menwetham, Menwethã. Vollis. 1. Vollis. 1. Surwihe, Surwihe. Vollis. 2.Vollis. 2. Arthurs Arthurs Ile. Iland, Guiniliuer, Guiniliuer. Nenech Nenech. and Gothrois, Gothrois. whose estates are diuers: howbeit as no one of these is to be ac|counted great in comparison of the other, so they all yéeld a short grasse méet for sheepe and conies, as doo al|so the rest. In the greater Iles likewise (whose names are commonlie such as those of the townes or churches standing in the same) there are (as I here) sundry lakes, and those neuer without great plentie of wild foule, so that the Iles of Sylley, are supposed to be no lesse bene|ficiall to their lords, than anie other what soeuer, within the compasse of our Ile, or neere vnto our coasts. In some of them also are wild swine.Wild swine in Sylley. And as these Iles are supposed to be a notable safegard to the coast of Corne|wall, so in diuerse of them great store of tin is like|wise to be found. There is in like maner such plentie of fish taken among these same, that beside the feeding of their swine withall, a man shall haue more there for a penie, than in London for ten grotes. Howbeit their cheefe commoditie is made by Reigh, which they drie, cut in peeces, and carie ouer into little Britaine, where they exchange it there, for salt, canuas, readie monie, or o|ther merchandize which they doo stand in need of. A like trade haue some of them also, with Buckhorne or dried whiting, as I heare. But sith the author of this report did not flatlie auouch it, I passe ouer that fish as not in season of this time. Thus haue we viewed the richest and most wealthie Iles of Sylley, from whence we must direct our course eastwards, vnto the mouth of the Sauerne, and then go backe againe vnto the west point of Wales, continuing still our voiage along vp|on the west coast of Britaine, till we come to the Sol|uey whereat the kingdomes part, & from which foorth on we must touch such Ilands as lie vpon the west and north shore, till we be come againe vnto the Scotish sea, and to our owne dominions.

From the point of Cornewall therefore, or promon|torie of Helenus Helenus. (so called, as some thinke, bicause He|lenus the son of Priamus Priamus. who arriued here with Brute lieth buried there, except the sea haue washed awaie his sepulchre) vntill we come vnto the mouth of Sa|uerne, we haue none Ilands at all that I doo know or heare of, but one litle Byland, Cape or Peninsula, which is not to be counted of in this place. And yet sith I haue spoken of it, you shall vnderstand, that it is called Pendinas, and beside that the compasse thereof is not aboue a mile, this is to be remembred farder thereof, how there standeth a Pharos or light therein, for ships which saile by those coasts in the night. There is also at the verie point of the said Pendinas, Pendinas. a chappell of saint Nicholas, beside the church of saint Ia, an Irish wo|man saint. It belonged of late to the Lord Brooke, but now (as I gesse) the Lord Mountioy enioieth it. There is also a blockhouse, and a péere in the eastside thereof, but the péere is sore choked with sand, as is the whole shore furthermore from S. Ies vnto S. Carantokes, inso|much that the greatest part of this Byland is now co|uered with sands, which the sea casteth vp, and this cala|mitie hath indured little aboue fiftie yeares, as the in|habitants doo affirme.

There are also two rocks neere vnto Tredwy, and another not farre from Tintagell, all which many of the common sort doo repute and take for Iles: where|fore as one desirous to note all, I thinke it not best that these should be omitted: but to proceed. When we be come further, I meane vnto the Sauerne mouth, we meet the two Holmes, of which one is called Step|holme, and the other Flatholme, of their formes bée|ing in déed parcels of ground and low soiles fit for lit|tle else than to beare grasse for cattell, whereof they take those names. For Holme is an old Saxon word, applied to all such places. Of these also Stepholme li|eth south of the Flatholme, about foure or fiue miles; the first also a mile and an halfe, the other two miles or thereabout in length; but neither of them a mile and an halfe in breadth, where they doo seeme to be the broa|dest.

It should séeme by some that they are not worthie to be placed among Ilands: yet othersome are of opini|on, that they are not altogither so base, as to be reputed amongst flats or rocks: but whatsoeuer they be, this is sure, that they oft annoie such passengers and mer|chants as passe and repasse vpon that riuer. Neither doo I read of any other Iles which lie by east of these, saue onlie the Barri,Barri. and Dunwen: the first of which is so called of one Barroc, a religious man (as Gyral|dus saith) and is about a flight shot from the shore. Herin also is a rocke standing at the verie entrance of the cliffe, which hath a little rift or chine vpon the side, wherevnto if a man doo laie his eare, he shall heare a noise, as if smithes did worke at the forge, sometimes blowing with their bellowes, and sometimes stri|king and clinking with hammers, whereof manie men haue great wonder; Barri is a feight shot from the shore. and no maruell. It is about a mile in compasse, situat ouer against Aberbarry, and hath a chappell in it.

Dunwen is so called of a church (dedicated to a Welsh woman saint,Dunwen. called Dunwen) that standeth there. It lieth more than two miles from Henrosser, right against Neuen, and hath within it two faire mils, & great store of conies. Certes if the sand increase so fast hereafter as it hath done of late about it, it will be vnited to the maine within a short season. Beyond these & toward the coast of Southwales lie two other Ilands, larger in quantitie than the Holmes, of which the one is called Caldee or Inis Pyr. Caldee. It hath a parish|church with a spire steeple, and a pretie towne belonging to the countie of Pembroke, and iurisdiction of one Da|uid in Wales. Leland supposeth the ruines that are found therein to haue béene of an old priorie some|times called Lille, which was a cell belonging to the monasterie of S. Dogmael, but of this I can saie no|thing. The other hight Londy,Londy. wherein is also a village or towne, and of this Iland the parson of the said towns is not onelie the captaine, but hath thereto weife, di|stresse, and all other commodities belonging to the same. It is little aboue sixteene miles from the coast of Wales, though it be thirtie from Caldée, and yet it ser|ueth (as I am informed) lord and king in Deuonshire. Moreouer in this Iland is great plentie of sheepe, but more conies, and therewithall of verie fine and short grasse for their better food & pasturage; likewise much Sampere vpon the shore, which is carried from thence in barrels. And albeit that there be not scarslie fourtie housholds in the whole, yet the inhabitants there with huge stones (alredie prouided) may kéepe off thousands of their enimies, bicause it is not possible for anie ad|uersaries to assaile them, but onelie at one place, and with a most dangerous entrance. In this voiage also we met with two other Ilands, one of them called Shepes Ile, the other Rat Ile; the first is but a little plot lieng at the point of the Baie, before we come at the Blockhouse which standeth north of the same, at the verie entrie into Milford hauen vpon the eastside. By north also of Shepes Ile, and betwéene it & Stacke rocke, which lieth in the verie middest of the hauen, at another point is Rat Ile yet smaller than the former, but what commodities are to be found in them as yet I cannot tell.Schalmey. Schalmey the greater and the lesse lie northwest of Milford hauen a good waie. They belong both to the crowne, but are not inhabited, bicause they be so often spoiled with pirates.Schoncold. Schoncold Ile ioineth vnto great Schalmey, and is bigger than it, onlie a pas|sage for ships parteth them, whereby they are supposed to be one: Leland noteth them to lie in Milford hauen. Beside these also we found the Bateholme, Stocke|holme, Midland, and Gresholme Iles, and then dou|bling the Wellock point, we came into a Baie, where we saw saint Brides Iland, and another in the Sound betwéene Ramsey and the point, of all which Iles and such rocks as are offensiue to mariners that passe by them, it may be my hap to speake more at large here|after.

Limen (as Ptolomie calleth it) is situat ouer against S. Dauids in Wales (wherevnto we must néeds come,Limen or Ramsey. after we be past another little one, which some men doo call Gresholme) & lieth directlie west of Schalmey. In a late map I find this Limen to be called in English Ramsey: Leland also confirmeth the same, and I can|not learne more thereof, than that it is much greater than anie of the other last mentioned (sithens I descri|bed the Holmes) and for temporall iurisdiction a mem|ber of Penbrookeshire, as it is vnto S. Dauids for mat|ters concerning the church. Leland in his commen|taries of England lib. 8. saieth that it contained thrée Ilets, whereof the bishop of S. Dauids is owner of the greatest, but the chanter of S. Dauids claimeth the se|cond, as the archdeacon of Cairmarden dooth the third. And in these is verie excellent pasture for sheepe and horses, but not for other horned beasts which lacke their vpper téeth by nature (whose substance is conuerted in|to the nourishment of their hornes) and therefore can|not bite so low. Next vnto this Ile we came to Mawr, Mawr. an Iland in the mouth of Mawr, scant a bow shoot o|uer, and enuironed at the low water with fresh, but at the high with salt, and here also is excellent catching of herings.

After this, procéeding on still with our course, we fetched a compasse, going out of the north toward the west, and then turning againe (as the coast of the coun|trie leadeth) vntill we sailed full south, leauing the shore still on our right hand, vntill we came vnto a cou|ple of Iles, which doo lie vpon the mouth of the Soch, one of them being distant (as we gessed) a mile from the other, and neither of them of anie greatnesse al|most worthie to be remembred. The first that we came vnto is called Tudfall, and therein is a church,Tudfall. but without anie parishioners, except they be shéepe and conies. The quantitie thereof also is not much a|boue six acres of ground, measured by the pole. The next is Penthlin, Myrach, or Mererosse, Penthlin. situat in maner betwixt Tudfall or Tuidall and the shore, and herein is verie good pasture for horsses, wherof (as I take it) that name is giuen vnto it. Next vnto them, we come vnto Gwelyn, Guelyn. a little Ile which lieth southeast of the fall of Daron or Daren, a thing of small quantitie, and yet al|most parted in the mids by water, and next of all vnto Bardsey an Iland lieng ouer against Periuincle the southwest point or promontorie of Northwales (where Merlin Syluestris lieth buried) and whither the rest of the monks of Bangor did flie to saue themselues, when 2100. of their fellowes were slaine by the Saxon prin|ces in the quarell of Augustine the monke, & the citie of Caerleon or Chester raced to the ground, and not since reedified againe to anie purpose. Ptolomie calleth this Iland Lymnos, the Britons Enlhi, and therein also is a parish-church, as the report goeth. From hence we cast about, gathering still toward the northest, till we came to Caer Ierienrhod, a notable rocke situat ouer against the mouth of the Leuenni, wherein standeth a strong hold or fortresse, or else some towne or village. Certes we could not well discerne whether of both it was, bi|cause the wind blew hard at southwest, the morning was mistie, and our mariners doubting some flats to be couched not far from thence, hasted awaie vnto An|glesei, whither we went apace with a readie wind e|uen at our owne desire.

This Iland (which Tacitus mistaketh no doubt for Mona Caesaris, and so dooth Ptolomie as appeareth by his latitudes) is situat about two miles from the shore of Northwales. Paulus Iouius gesseth that it was in time past ioined to the continent, or maine of our Ile,Anglesei cut from Wales by working of the sea. and onelie cut off by working of the Ocean, as Sicilia peraduenture was from Italie by the violence of the Leuant or practise of some king that reigned there. Thereby also (as he saith) the inhabitants were con|streind at the first to make a bridge ouer into the same, till the breach waxed so great, that no such passage could anie longer be mainteined. But as these things doo ei|ther not touch my purpose at all, or make smallie with the present description of this Ile: so (in comming to my matter) Anglesei is found to be full so great as the Wight,Anglesei. and nothing inferiour, but rather surmoun|ting it, as that also which Caesar calleth Mona in fruit|fulnesse of soile by manie an hundred fold. In old time it was reputed and taken for the common granarie to Wales, as Sicilia was to Rome and Italie for their prouision of corne. In like maner the Welshmen themselues called it the mother of their countrie, for gi|uing their minds wholie to pasturage, as the most easie and lesse chargeable trade, they vtterlie neglected til|lage, as men that leaned onelie to the fertilitie of this Iland for their corne, from whence they neuer failed to receiue continuall abundance. Gyraldus saith that the Ile of Anglesei was no lesse sufficient to minister graine for the sustentation of all the men of Wales, than the mountaines called Ereri or Snowdoni in Northwales were to yeeld plentie of pasture for all the cattell whatsoeuer within the aforesaid compasse, if they were brought togither and left vpon the same. It contained moreouer so manie townes welnéere, as there be daies in a yeare, which some conuerting into Cantreds haue accompted but for three, as Gyraldus saith. Howbeit, as there haue beene I say 363. townes in Anglesei, so now a great part of that reckoning is vtterlie shroonke, and so far gone to decaie, that the ve|rie ruines of them are vnneath to be séene & discerned: and yet it séemeth to be méetlie well inhabited. Leland noting the smalnesse of our hundreds in comparison to that they were in time past, addeth (so far as I remem|ber) that there are six of them in Anglesei, as Menay, Maltraith, Liuon, Talbellion, Torkalin, and Tindaithin: herevnto Lhoid saith also how it belonged in old time vnto the kingdome of Guinhed or Northwales, and that therein at a towne called Aberfraw, being on the southwestside of the Ile, the kings of Gwinhed held euermore their palaces, whereby it came to passe, that the kings of Northwales were for a longtime called kings of Aberfraw, as the Welshmen named the kings of England kings of London, till better instru|ction did bring them farther knowledge.

There are in Anglesei many townes and villages, whose names as yet I cannot orderlie atteine vnto: wherefore I will content my selfe with the rehearsall of so many as we viewed in sailing about the coasts, and otherwise heard report of by such as I haue talked withall. Beginning therefore at the mouth of the Gef|ni (which riseth at northeast aboue Gefni or Geuenni, 20. miles at the least into the land) we passed first by Hundwyn, then by Newborow, Port Hayton, Beau|marrais, Penmon, Elian, Almwoch, Burric (whereby runneth a rill into a creeke) Cornew, Holihed (stan|ding in the promontorie) Gwifen, Aberfraw, and Cair Cadwalader, of all which, the two latter stand as it were in a nuke betweene the Geuenni water, and the Fraw, wherevpon Aberfraw is situate. Within the Iland we heard onlie of Gefni afore mentioned, of Gristial standing vpon the same water, of Tefri, of La|nerchimedh, Lachtenfarwy and Bodedrin, but of all these the cheefe is now Beaumarais, which was builded sometime by king Edward the first, and therewithall a strong castell about the yeare 1295. to kéepe that land in quiet. There are also (as Leland saith) 31. parish|churches beside 69. chappels, that is, a hundreth in all. But héerof I can saie little, for lacke of iust instruction. In time past, the people of this Ile vsed not to seuerall their grounds, but now they dig stonie hillocks, and with the stones thereof they make rude walles, much like to those of Deuonshire, sith they want hedge|bote, fire bote, and house bote, or (to saie at one word) timber, bushes and trees. As for wine, it is so plenti|full and good cheape there most commonlie as in Lon|don, through the great recourse of merchants from France, Spaine, and Italie vnto the aforesaid Iland. The flesh likewise of such cattell as is bred there, wher|of we haue store yearelie brought vnto Cole faire in Essex is most delicate, by reason of their excellent pa|sture, and so much was it esteemed by the Romans in time past, that Columella did not onelie commend and preferre them before those of Liguria, but the em|perours themselues being neere hand also caused their prouision to be made for nete out of Anglesei, to feed vpon at their owne tables as the most excellent beefe. It taketh now the name of Angles and Ei, which is to meane the Ile of Englishmen, bicause they wan it in the Conquerors time, vnder the leading of Hugh earle of Chester, and Hugh of Shrewesburie. Howbeit they recouered it againe in the time of William Rufus, when they spoiled the citie of Glocester, ransacked Shrewes|burie, and returned home with great bootie and pillage, in which voiage also they were holpen greatlie by the Irishmen, who after thrée yeares ioined with them a|gaine, and slue the earle of Shrewesburie (which then liued) with great crueltie. The Welshmen call it Tire|mone and Mon, and herein likewise is a promontorie or Byland, called Holie head Holie head, or Cair kiby. (which hath in time past beene named Cair kyby, of Kyby a monke that dwel|led there) from whence the readiest passage is common|lie had out of Northwales to get ouer into Ireland, of which Ile I will not speake at this time, least I shuld bereaue another of that trauell. Yet Plinie saith, lib. 4. cap. 16. that it lieth not farre off from and ouer a|gainst the Silures, which then dwelled vpon the west coast of our Iland, and euen so farre as Dunbritton, and beyond: but to our Cair kybi. The Britons named it Enylsnach, or holie Ile, Enilsnach, holie Ile. of the number of carcases of holie men, which they affirme to haue beene buried there. But herein I maruell not a little, wherein women had offended, that they might not come thither, or at the least wise returne from thence without some notable reproch or shame vnto their bo|dies. By south also of Hilarie point, somewhat incli|ning toward the east, lieth Inis Lygod, a small thing (God wot) and therefore not worthie great remem|brance: neuertheles not to be omitted, though nothing else inforced the memoriall thereof, but onelie the number and certeine fale of such Iles as lie about our Iland. I might also speake of the Ile Mail Rony|ad, which lieth north west of Anglesei by sixe miles; but bicause the true name hereof, as of manie riuers and streames are to me vnknowne, I am the more willing to passe them ouer in silence, least I should be noted to be farther corrupter of such words as I haue no skill to deliuer and exhibit in their kind. And now to conclude with the description of the whole Iland, this I will ad moreouer vnto hir commodities, that as there are the best milstones of white, red, blew, and gréene gréets, (especiallie in Tindaithin) so there is great gaines to be gotten by fishing round about this Ile, if the people there could vse the trade: but they want both cunning and diligence to take that matter in hand. And as for temporall regiment, it apperteineth to the countie of Cairnaruon, so in spirituall cases it belongeth to the bi|shoprike of Bangor. This is finallie to be noted of An|glesei,Ancient buriall. that sundrie earthen pots are often found there of dead mens bones conuerted into ashes, set with the mouthes downeward contrarie to the vse of other na|tions, which turned the brims vpwards, whereof let this suffice.

Hauing thus described Anglesei, it resteth to report furthermore, how that in our circuit about the same, we met with other little Ilets, of which one lieth north|west thereof almost ouer against Butricke mouth, or the fall of the water, that passeth by Butricke. The Britons called it Ynis Ader, Adar. that is to say, the Ile of birds in old time, but now it hight Ynis Moil, Moil. or Ynis Rhomaid, Rhomaid. that is the Ile of porpasses. It hath to name likewise Ysterisd, Ysterisd. and Adros. Adros. Being past this, we came to the second lieng by north east, ouer against the Hilarie point,Lygod. called Ynis Ligod, that is to saie, the Ile of Mise, and of these two this latter is the smallest, neither of them both being of any greatnesse to speake of. Ynis Seriall Seriall. or Prestholme, Prestholme lieth ouer against Penmon, or the point called the head of Mon, where I found a towne (as I told you) of the same denomination. Ptolomie nameth not this Iland, whereof I maruell. It is par|cell of Flintshire, and of the iurisdiction of S. Asaph, and in fertilitie of soile, and breed of cattell, nothing in|feriour vnto Anglesei hir mother: although that for quantitie of ground it come infinitelie short thereof, and be nothing comparable vnto it. The last Iland vp|on the cost of Wales, hauing now left Anglesei, is cal|led Credine, Credine. and although it lie not properlie within the compasse of my description, yet I will not let to touch it by the waie, sith the causey thither from Denbigh|land, is commonlie ouerflowne. It is partlie made an Iland by the Conwey, and partlie by the sea. But to pro|ceed, when we had viewed this place, we passed foorth to S. Antonies Ile, which is about two or thrée miles com|passe or more, a sandie soile, but yet verie batable for sheepe and cattell, it is well replenished also with fresh wels, great plentie of wild foule, conies and quarries of hard ruddie stone, which is oft brought thence to Westchester, where they make the foundations of their buildings withall. There are also two parish churches in the same, dedicated to S. Antonie and S. Iohn, but the people are verie poore, bicause they be so oft spoiled by pirats, although the lord of the same be verie weal|thie thorough the exchange made with them of his victuals, for their wares, whereof they make good peniworths, as théeues commonlie doo of such preies as they get by like escheat, notwithstanding their landing there is verie dangerous, and onlie at one place. How|beit they are constreined to vse it, and there to make their marts. From hence we went on, vntill we came to the cape of Ile Brée,Hilberie. or Hilberie, and point of Wyr|ale, from whence is a common passage into Ireland, of 18. or 20. houres sailing, if the wether be not tedi|ous. This Iland at the full sea is a quarter of a mile from the land, and the streame betwéene foure fadams déepe, as ship-boies haue oft sounded, but at a lowe wa|ter a man may go ouer thither on the sand. The Ile of it selfe is verie sandie a mile in compasse, and well sto|red with conies, thither also went a sort of supersticious fooles in times past, in pilgrimage, to our ladie of Hil|berie, by whose offerings a cell of monkes there, which belonged to Chester, was cherished and mainteined.

The next Iland vpon the coast of England is Man or Mona Caesaris, which some name Mana or Manim, but after Ptolomie, Monaoida, as some thinke, though other ascribe that name to Anglesei, which the Welsh|men doo commonlie call Môn, as they doo this Manaw, It is supposed to be the first, as Hirtha is the last of the Hebrides. Hector Boetius noteth a difference betwéene them of 300. miles. But Plinie saith that Mona is 200000. miles from Camaldunum, lib. 2. cap. 75. It lieth also vnder 53. degrées of latitude, and 30. minuts, and hath in longitude 16. degrees and 40. minuts, abutting on the north side vpon S. Ninians in Scotland, Furnes|fels on the east, Prestholme and Anglesei on the south, and Ulsther in Ireland on the west. It is greater than Anglesei by a third, and there are two riuers in the same, whose heads doo ioine so néere, that they doo seeme in maner to part the Ile in twaine. Some of the anci|ent writers, as Ethicus, &c: call it Eubonia, Eubonia. and other following Orosius, Meuana Meuania. or Maeuania, howbeit after Beda and the Scotish histories, the Meuaniae are all those Iles aforesaid called the Hebrides, Eubonides, or Hebudes (whereof William Malmesburie, lib. 1. de regi|bus (beside this our Mona) will haue Anglesei also to be one. Wherefore it séemeth hereby that a number of our late writers ascribing the said name vnto Mona one|lie, haue not beene a little deceiued. Iornandes lib. de Ge|tis speaketh of a second Meuansa; Habet & aliam Me|uaniam (saith he) necnon & Orchadas. But which should be prima, as yet I do not read, except it should be Anglesei; and then saith Malmesburie well. In like sort Proper|tius speaketh of a Meuania, which he called Nebulosa, but he meaneth it euidentlie of a little towne in Um|bria where he was borne, lib. 4. eleg. De vrbe Rom. Wher|fore there néedeth no vse of his authoritie. This in the meane time is euident out of Orosius, lib, 1. capite 2. that Scots dwelled somtime in this Ile, as also in Ireland, which Ethicus also affirmeth of his owne time, and fi|nallie confirmeth that the Scots and Irish were some|time one people. It hath in length 24. miles, and 8. in bredth, and is in maner of like distance from Gallo|way in Scotland, Ireland and Cumberland in Eng|land, as Buchanan reporteth.

In this Iland also were some time 1300. families, of which 960. were in the west halfe, and the rest in the other. But now through ioining house to house & land to land (a common plague and canker, which will eat vp all, if prouision be not made in time to withstand this mischéefe) that number is halfe diminished, and yet many of the rich inhabiters want roome, and wote not how and where to bestowe themselues, to their quiet contentations. Certes this impediment groweth not by reason that men were greater in bodie, than they haue béene in time past, but onelie for that their insa|tiable desire of inlarging their priuate possessions in|creaseth still vpon them, and will doo more, except they be restrained: but to returne to our purpose. It was once spoiled by the Scots in the time of king Athel|stane, chéeflie by Anlafus in his flight from the bloudie battell, wherein Constantine king of Scotland was ouercome: secondlie by the Scots 1388. after it came to the possession of the English, for in the beginning the kings of Scotland had this Iland vnder their do|minion, almost from their first arriuall in this Iland, and as Beda saith till Edwine king of the Northum|bers wan it from them, and vnited it to his kingdome. After the time of Edwine, the Scots gat the possession thereof againe, and held it till the Danes & Norwaies wan it from them, who also kept it (but with much trou|ble) almost 370. yeares vnder the gouernance of their viceroies, whome the kings of Norwaie inuested vnto that honor, till Alexander the third king of that name in Scotland recouered it from them, with all the rest of those Iles that lie vpon the west coast, called also Sodorenses in the daies of Magnus king of Norwaie. And sithens that time the Scotish princes haue not ceased to giue lawes to such as dwelled there, but also from time to time appointed such bishops as should ex|ercise ecclesiasticall iurisdiction in the same, till it was won from them by our princes, and so vnited vnto the realme of England. Finallie,Chronica Tinemuthi. how after sundrie sales bargains and contracts of matrimonie (for I read that William Scroope the kings Uicechamberleine, did buy this Ile and crowne thereof of the lord William Montacute earle of Sarum) it came vnto the ance|stours of the earles of Darbie, who haue béene com|monlie said to be kings of Man, the discourse folowing shall more at large declare. Giraldus noteth a conten|tion betwéene the kings of England & Ireland for the right of this Iland, but in the end, when by a compr illegible |mise the triall of the matter was referred to the liues or deaths of such venemous wormes as should be brought into the same, and it was found that they died not at all, as the like doo in Ireland, sentence passed with the king of England, & so he reteined the Iland. But howsoeuer this matter standeth, and whether anie such thing was done at all or not, sure it is that the peo|ple of the said Ile were much giuen to witchcraft and sorcerie (which they learned of the Scots a nation great|lie bent to that horible practise) in somuch that their women would oftentimes sell wind to the mariners, inclosed vnder certeine knots of thred, with this in|iunction, that they which bought the same, should for a great gale vndoo manie, and for the lesse a fewer or smaller number.Tall men in Man. The stature of the men and also ferti|litie of this Iland are much commended, and for the latter supposed verie néere to be equall with that of An|glesei, in all commodities.

There are also these townes therein, as they come now to my remembrance, Rushen, Dunglasse, Holme towne, S. Brids, Bala cury (the bishops house) S. Mich. S. Andrew, kirk Christ, kirk Louel, S. Mathees, kirk S. Anne, Pala sala, kirk S. Marie, kirk Concane, kirk Malu, and Home. But of all these Rushen with the castell is the strongest.Riuers. It is also in recompense of the common want of wood, indued with sundrie pretie waters, as first of al the Burne rising in the northside of Warehill botoms, and branching out by southwest of kirk S. An, it séemeth to cut off a great part of the eastside thereof, from the residue of that Iland. From those hils also (but of the south halfe) commeth the Holme and Hol|mey, by a towne of the same name, in the verie mouth whereof lieth the Pile afore mentioned. They haue also the Bala passing by Bala cury, on the westside, and the Rame on the north, whose fall is named Ramesei hauen, as I doo read in Chronicles.

There are moreouer sundrie great hils therein, as that wherevpon S. Mathees standeth,Hilles. in the northeast part of the Ile, a parcell whereof commeth flat south, betwéene kirk Louell, and kirk Marie, yéelding out of their botoms the water Bala, whereof I spake before. Beside these and well toward the south part of the Ile, I find the Warehils, which are extended al|most from the west coast ouertwhart vnto the Burne streame. It hath also sundrie hauens, as Ramsei hauen,Hauens. by north Laxam hauen, by east Port Iris, by southwest Port Home, and Port Michell, by west. In like sort there are diuers Ilets annexed to the same, as the Calfe of man on the south,Calfe of man. the PileThe pile. S. Michels Ile. on the west, and finallie S. Michels Ile in the gulfe called Ranoths waie in the east. Moreouer the sheepeSheepe. of this countrie are excéeding huge, well woolled, and their tailes of such greatnesse as is almost incredible.Hogs. In like sort their hogs are in maner monstrous. They haue furthermore great store of barnacles bréeding vpon their coasts,Barnacles. but yet not so great store as in Ireland, and those (as there also) of old ships, ores, masts, peeces of rotten timber as they saie, and such putrified pitched stuffe, as by wrecke hath happened to corrupt vpon that shore. Howbeit neither the inhabitants of this Ile, nor yet of Ireland can rea|dilie saie whether they be fish or flesh,Barnacles neither fish nor flesh. for although the re|ligious there vsed to eat them as fish, yet elsewhere, some haue beene troubled, for eating of them in times prohibited for heretikes and lollards.

For my part, I haue béene verie desirous to vnder|stand the vttermost of the bréeding of barnacls, & que|stioned with diuers persons about the same. I haue red also whatsoeuer is written by forren authors touching the generation of that foule, & sought out some places where I haue béene assured to sée great numbers of them: but in vaine. Wherefore I vtterlie despaired to obteine my purpose, till this present yeare of Grace 1584. and moneth of Maie, wherein going to the court at Gréenewich from London by bote, I saw sundrie ships lieng in the Thames newlie come home, either from Barbarie or the Canarie Iles (for I doo not well remember now from which of these places) on whose sides I perceiued an infinit sort of shels to hang so thicke as could be one by another. Drawing néere also, I tooke off ten or twelue of the greatest of them, & afterward hauing opened them, I saw the proporti|on of a foule in one of them more perfectlie than in all the rest, sauing that the head was not yet formed, bi|cause the fresh water had killed them all (as I take it) and thereby hindered their perfection. Certeinelie the feathers of the taile hoong out of the shell at least two inches, the wings (almost perfect touching forme) were garded with two shels or shéeldes proportioned like the selfe wings, and likewise the brestbone had hir couerture also of like shellie substance, and altogither resembling the figure which Lobell and Pena doo giue foorth in their description of this foule: so that I am now fullie persuaded that it is either the barnacle that is ingendred after one maner in these shels, or some o|ther sea-foule to vs as yet vnknowen. For by the fea|thers appearing and forme so apparant, it cannot be de|nied, but that some bird or other must proceed of this substance, which by falling from the sides of the ships in long voiages, may come to some perfection. But now it is time for me to returne againe vnto my former purpose.

There hath sometime beene, and yet is a bishop of this Ile,Bishop of Man. who at the first was called Episcopus Sodo|rensis, when the iurisdiction of all the Hebrides belong|ed vnto him. Whereas now he that is bishop there, is but a bishops shadow, for albeit that he beare the name of bishop of Man, yet haue the earles of Darbie, as it is supposed,Patrone of Man. the cheefe profit of his sée (sauing that they allow him a little somewhat for a flourish) notwith|standing that they be his patrons, and haue his nomi|nation vnto that liuing. The first bishop of this Ile was called Wimundus or Raymundus, and surna|med Monachus Sauinensis, who by reason of his ex|treame and tyrannicall crueltie toward the Ilanders, had first his sight taken from him, & then was sent into exile. After him succéeded another moonke in king Ste|phens daies called Iohn, and after him one Marcus, &c: other after other in succession, the sée it selfe being now also subiect to the archbishop of Yorke for spirituall iu|risdiction. In time of Henrie the second, this Iland also had a king,King of Man. whose name was Cuthred, vnto whome Vinianus the cardinall came as legate 1177. and wher|in Houeden erreth not. In the yeare also 1228. one Reginald was viceroy or petie king of Man, afterward murthered by his subiects. Then Olauus, after him Hos|bach the sonne of Osmond Hacon, 1290. who being slaine, Olauus and Gotredus parted this kingdome of Sodora, in such wise, that this had all the rest of the Iles, the other onelie the Ile of Man at the first; but af|ter the slaughter of Gotredus, Olauus held all, after whom Olauus his sonne succeeded. Then Harald sonne to Olauus, who being entered in Maie, and drow|ned vpon the coastes of Ireland, his brother Reginald reigned twentie and seuen daies, and then was killed the first of Iune, whereby Olauus aliàs Harald sonne to Gotred ruled in the Ile one yeare. Next vnto him succéeded Magnus the second sonne of Olauus, and last of all Iuarus, who held it so long as the Norwaies were lords thereof. But being once come into the hands of the Scots, one Godred Mac Mares was made lieutenant, then Alane, thirdlie Maurice Okarefer, and fourthlie one of the kings chapleines, &c. I would gladlie haue set downe the whole catalog of all the viceroyes and lieutenants: but sith I can neither come by their names nor successions, I surcesse to speake any more of them, and also of the Ile it selfe, whereof this may suffice.

After we haue in this wise described the Ile of Man, with hir commodities, we returned eastwards backe againe vnto the point of Ramshed, where we found to the number of six Ilets of one sort and other, whereof the first greatest and most southwesterlie, is named the Wauay. It runneth out in length,Wauay. as we gessed, about fiue miles and more from the southeast into the north|west, betwéene which and the maine land lie two little ones, whose names are Oldborrow and Fowlney. The fourth is called the Fouldra, Fouldra. and being situate southeast of the first, it hath a prettie pile or blockhouse therin, which the inhabitants name the pile of Fouldra. By east thereof in like sort lie the Fola Fola. Roa. and the Roa, plots of no great compasse, and yet of all these six, the first and Fouldra are the fairest and most fruitfull. From hence we went by Rauenglasse point,Rauenglasse. where lieth an Iland of the same denomination, as Regi|nald Wolfe hath noted in his great card, not yet fini|shed, nor likelie to be published. He noteth also two other Ilets, betwéene the same and the maine land; but Leland speaketh nothing of them (to my remem|brance) neither any other card, as yet set foorth of England: and thus much of the Ilands that lie vpon our shore in this part of my voiage.

Hauing so exactlie as to me is possible, set downe the names and positions of such Iles, as are to be found vpon the coast of the Quéenes Maiesties do|minions,Iles in Scot+land. now it resteth that we procéed orderlie with those that are séene to lie vpon the coast of Scotland, that is to saie, in the Irish, the Deucalidonian & the Germans seas, which I will performe in such order as I may, sith I cannot do so much therin as I would. Some therefore doo comprehend and diuide all the Iles that lie about the north coast of this Ile now cal|led Scotland into thrée parts, sauing that they are either occidentals, the west Iles, aliàs the Orchades & Zelandine, or the Shetlands. They place the first be|twéene Ireland and the Orchades, so that they are ex|tended from Man and the point of Cantire almost vn|to the Orchades in the Deucalidonian sea, and after some are called the Hebrides. In this part the old writers in déed placed the Hebrides or Hemodes, Hemodes of some called Acmodes, sée Plinie, Mela, Martianus, Capella. Plu|tarch. de defect. orac. which diuers call the Hebudes and the Acmodes; al|beit the writers varie in their numbers, some spea|king of 30 Hebudes and seuen Hemodes; some of fiue Ebudes, as Solinus, and such as follow his autho|ritie. Howbeit the late Scottish writers doo product a summe of more than 300 of these Ilands in all, which sometime belonged to the Scots, sometime to the Norwegians, and sometime to the Danes. The first of these is our Manaw, of which I haue before in|treated: next vnto this is Alisa a desert. Ile, yet re|plenished with conies, soland foule, and a fit harbor for fishermen that in time of the yeare lie vpon the coast thereof for herings. Next vnto this is the Ar|ran, a verie hillie and craggie soile, yet verie plenti|full of fish all about the coast, and wherein is a verie good hauen: ouer against the mouth whereof lieth the Moll, which is also no small defense to such seafaring men as seeke harbor in that part. Then came we by the Fladwa or Pladwa, no lesse fruitfull and stored with conies than the Bota, Bura, or Botha, or eight miles long & foure miles broad, a low ground but yet verie batable, and wherein is good store of short and indifferent pasture: it hath also a towne there called Rosse, and a castell named the Camps. There is also another called the Marnech, an Iland of a mile in length, and halfe a mile in breadth, low ground also but yet verie fertile. In the mouth likewise of the Glot, lieth the more Cumber and the lesse, not farre in sunder one from another, and both fruitfull inough the one for corne, and the other for Platyceraton. The Auon another Iland lieth about a mile from Cantire, and is verie commodious to ships, wherof it is called Auon, that is to saie, Portuosa, or full of harbor: and therefore the Danes had in time past great vse of it. Then haue we the Raclind, the Kyntar, the Cray, the Gegaw six miles in length and a mile and a halfe in breadth; the Dera full of déere, and not otherwise vn|fruitfull: and therefore some thinke that it was cal|led the Ile of déere in old time.Scarba. Scarba foure miles in length, and one in breadth, verie little inhabi|ted, and thereinto the sea betwéene that and the Ile of déere is so swift and violent, that except it be at certeine times, it is not easilie nauigable. Being past these, we come to certeine Ilands of no great fame, which lie scattered here and there, as Bellach, Gyra|stell, Longaie, both the Fiolas, the thrée Yarues, Cul|brenin, Duncomell, Lupar, Belnaua, Wikerua, Cal|file, Luing, Sele Ile, Sound, of which the last thrée are fruitfull, and belong to the earle of Argile. Slate Ile. Then haue we the Slate, so called of the tiles that are made ther|in. The Nagsey, Isdalf, and the Sken (which later is also called Thian, of a wicked herbe growing there great|lie hurtfull, and in colour not much vnlike the lillie, sauing that it is of a more wan and féeble colour) V|derga, kings Ile, Duffa or blacke Ile, Kirke Ile, and Triarach. There is also the Ile Ard, Humble Ile, Greene Ile, and Heth Ile, Arbor Ile, Gote Ile, Co|nies Ile alias idle Ile, Abrid Ile or bird Ile, and Lis|mor, wherein the bishop of Argill sometime held his palace, being eight miles in length and two miles in breadth, and not without some mines also of good met|tall. There is also the Ile Ouilia, Siuna, Trect, She|pey, Fladaw, Stone Ile, Gresse, great Ile, Ardis, Mu|sadell, & Berner, sometime called the holie sanctuarie, Vghe Ile, Molochasgyr, and Drinacha, now ouer|growne with bushes, elders, and vtterlie spoiled by the ruines of such great houses as haue hereto|fore béene found therin. There is in like sort the Wijc, the Ranse, and the Caruer.

In this tract also, there are yet thrée to intreat of,Ila. as Ila, Mula and Iona, of which the first is one of the most, that hath not béene least accounted of. It is not much aboue 24 miles in length, and in breadth 16 reaching from the south into the north, and yet it is an excéeding rich plot of ground verie plentious of corne, cattell, déere, and also lead, and other mettals, which were easie to be obteined, if either the people were industrious, or the soile yéeldable of wood to fine and trie out the same. In this Iland also there is a lake of swéet water called the Laie, and also a baie wherein are sundrie Ilands; and therevnto another lake of fresh water, wherein the Falangam Ile is situate, wherein the souereigne of all the Iles some|time dwelled.Round Ile. Néere vnto this is the round Ile, so called of the consultations there had: for there was a court sometime holden, wherein 14 of the princi|pall inhabitants did minister iustice vnto the rest, and had the whole disposition of things committed vnto them, which might rule vnto the benefit of those Ilands. There is also the Stoneheape, an other Iland so called of the heape of stones that is therein. On the south side also of Ila, we find moreouer the Colurne, Mulmor, Osrin, Brigidan, Corkerke, Humble Ile, Imersga, Bethy, Texa, Shepeie, Naosig, Rinard, Cane, Tharscher, Aknor, Gret Ile, Man Ile, S. Iohns Ile, and Stackbed. On the west side thereof also lieth O|uersey, whereby runneth a perilous sea, and not naui|gable, but at certeine houres, Merchant Ile, Vsa|brast, Tanask, Neff, Wauer Ile, Oruans, Hog Ile, and Colauanso.

Mula is a right noble Ile, 24 miles in length and so manie in bredth,Mula. rough of soile, yet fruitfull enough: & beside woods, deere, & good harbrough for ships, reple|nished with diuers and sundrie townes and castels. Ouer against Columkill also, it hath two riuers, which yeld verie great store of salmons, and other ri|uellets now altogither vnfruitfull, beside two lakes, in each of which is an Iland: and likewise in euerie of these Ilands a castell. The sea beating vpon this Ile, maketh foure notable baies wherein great plen|tie and verie good herrings are taken. It hath also in the northwest side Columbria, or the Ile of doues; on the southeast, Era: both verie commodious for fi|shing, cattell, and corne. Moreouer, this is woorth the noting in this Ile aboue all the rest, that it hath a ple|sant spring, arising two miles in distance from the shore, wherein are certeine little egs found, much like vnto indifferent pearles, both for colour and bright|nesse, and thereto full of thicke humour, which egs be|ing carried by violence of the fresh water vnto the salt, are there within the space of twelue houres conuerted into great shels, which I take to be mo|ther pearle; except I be deceiued.

Iona was sometime called Columkill,Iona. in fame and estimation nothing inferiour to anie of the o|ther, although in length it excéed little aboue two miles, and in breadth one. Certes it is verie fruit|full of all such commodities, as that climat where|in it standeth dooth yeeld, and beareth the name of Co|lumbus the abbat, of whome I haue spoken more at large in my Chronologie. There were somtimes al|so two monasteries therein, one of moonks builded by Fergus, another of nuns: and a parish church, beside many chappels builded by the Scotish kings, and such princes as gouerned in the Iles. And when the English had once gotten possession of the Ile of Manaw, a bishops see was erected in the old mona|sterie of Columbus, whereby the iurisdiction of those Iles was still mainteined and continued. Certes there remaine yet in this Iland the old burials apper|tein illegible ng to the most noble families that had dwelled in the west Iles; but thrée aboue other are accomp|ted the most notable, which haue little houses buil|ded vpon them. That in the middest hath a stone, whereon is written,Regum tu|muli. Tumuli regum Scotiae, The burials of the kings of Scotland: for (as they saie) fourtie eight of them were there interred. Another is inti|tuled with these words, The burials of the kings of Ireland, bicause foure of them lie in that place. The third hath these words written thereon, The graues of the kings of Norwaie, for there eight of them were buried also, and all through a fond suspicion conceiued of the merits of Columbus. Howbeit in processe of time, when Malcolme Cammor had erec|ted his abbeie at Donfermeling, he gaue occasion to manie of his successors to be interred there.

About this Iland there lie six other Iles dispersed, small in quantitie, but not altogither barren, some|times giuen by the kings of Scotland and lords of the Iles vnto the abbeie of saint Columbus, of which the Soa, albeit that it yeeld competent pasturage for shéepe, yet is it more commodious, by such egs as the great plentie of wildfoule there breeding doo laie within the same.The Ile of Shrewes. Then is there the Ile of Shrewes or of women; as the more sober heads doo call it. Also Rudan, & next vnto that, the Rering. There is also the Shen halfe a mile from Mula, whose bankes doo swarme with conies: it hath also a parish church, but most of the inhabitants doo liue and dwell in Mula. There is also the Eorse or the Arse, and all these be|long vnto saint Columbus abbeie. Two miles from Arse is the Olue, an Iland fiue miles in length, and sufficientlie stored with corne and grasse, & not with|out a good hauen for ships to lie and harbor in. There is also the Colfans, an Iland fruitfull inough, and full of cornell trées. There is not far off also the Go|mater, Stafa, the two Kerneburgs, and the Mosse Ile, in the old Brittish speech called Monad, that is to saie Mosse.Mosse Ile. The soile of it is verie blacke, bicause of the corruption & putrefaction of such woods as haue rotted thereon: wherevpon also no small plentie of mosse is bred and ingendered. The people in like maner make their fire of the said earth, which is ful|lie so good as our English turffe. There is also the Long, & six miles further toward the west, Tirreie, which is eight miles in length and thrée in breadth, & of all other one of the most plentifull for all kinds of commodities: for it beareth corne, cattell, fish, and seafowle aboundantlie. It hath also a well of fresh water, a castell, and a verie good hauen for great ves|sels to lie at safegard in. Two miles from this also is the Gun, and the Coll two miles also from the Gun. Then passed we by the Calfe, a verie wooddie Iland, the foure gréene Iles, the two glasse or skie I|lands, the Ardan, the Ile of woolfes, & then the great Iland which reacheth from the east into the west, is sixteene miles in length, and six in breadth, full of mounteins and swelling woods: and for asmuch as it is not much inhabited, the seafoules laie great plentie of egs there, whereof such as will, may ga|ther what number them listeth. Upon the high cliffes and rocks also the Soland géefe are taken verie plentifullie. Beyond this, about foure miles also is the Ile of horsses: and a little from that the hog I|land, which is not altogither vnfruitfull. There is a falcon which of custome bréedeth there, and therevn|to it is not without a conuenient hauen. Not farre off also is the Canna, and the Egga, little Iles, but the later full of Soland géefe. Likewise the Sobra|till, more apt to hunt in than méet for anie other commoditie that is to be reaped thereby.

After this we come to the Skie,Skie. the greatest Ile about all Scotland: for it is two and fortie miles long; and somewhere eight, & in some places twelue miles broad: it is moreouer verie hillie, which hilles are therevnto loaden with great store of wood, as the woods are with pasture, the fields with corne and cattell; and (besides all other commodities) with no small heards of mares, whereby they raise great ad|uantage and commoditie. It hath fiue riuers verie much abounding with salmons, and other fresh streams not altogither void of that prouision. It is inuironed also with manie baies, wherein great plentie of herrings is taken in time of the yéere. It hath also a noble poole of fresh water; fiue castels and sundrie townes; as Aie, S. Iohns, Dunwegen, S. Nicholas, &c. The old Scots called it Skianacha, that is, Winged, but now named Skie. There lie cer|teine small Ilands about this also, as Rausa a ba|table soile for corne & gras; Conie Iland full of woods and conies; Paba a theeuish Iland, in whose woods théeues do lurke to rob such as passe by them. Scalpe Ile, which is full of deere; Crowling, wherein is ve|rie good harbour for ships; Rarsa, full of béechen woods and stags, being in length seuen miles, and two in breadth. The Ron, a woodie Ile and full of heath: yet hath it a good hauen, which hath a little I|land called Gerloch on the mouth thereof, and there|in lurke manie théeues. There is not farre off from this Ron, to wit about six miles also, the Flad, the Tiulmen, Oransa, Buie the lesse, and Buie the more, and fiue other little trifling Iles, of whose names I haue no notice.

After these we come vnto the Ise, a pretie fer|tile Iland, to the Oue, to the Askoome, to the Lindill. And foure score miles from the Skie towards the west, to the Ling, the Gigarmen, the Berner, the Magle, the Pable, the Flab, the Scarpe, the San|der, the Uateras, which later hath a noble hauen for great ships, beside sundrie other commodities: and these nine last rehearsed are vnder the dominion of the bishop of the Iles. After this we come to the Bar,Bar. an Iland seauen miles in length, not vnfruit|full for grasse and corne, but the chiefe commoditie thereof lieth by taking of herrings, which are there to be had abundantlie. In one baie of this Iland there lieth an Islet, and therein standeth a strong castell. In the north part hereof also is an hill which beareth good grasse from the foot to the top, and out of that riseth a spring, which running to the sea, doth carrie withall a kind of creature not yet perfectlie for|med, which some do liken vnto cockels; and vpon the shore where the water falleth into the sea, they take vp a kind of shelfish, when the water is gone, which they suppose to be ingendred or increased after this manner. Betwéene the Barre and the Uisse lie also these Ilands, Orbaus, Oue, Hakerset, Warlang, Flad, the two Baies, Haie, Helsaie, Gigaie, Lin|gaie, Fraie, Fudaie, and Friskaie. The Uisse is thirtie miles long and six miles broad; and therein are sundrie fresh waters, but one especiallie of three miles in length: neuerthelesse, the sea hath now of late found a waie into it, so that it cannot be kept off with a banke of three score foot, but now and then it will flowe into the same, and leaue sea-fish behind it in the lake. There is also a fish bred therein al|most like vnto a salmon, sauing that it hath a white bellie, a blacke backe, and is altogither without scales: it is likewise a great harbour for théeues and pirats.

Eight miles beyond this lieth the Helscher, appertinent to the nuns of Iona: we haue then the Hasker, verie plentifullie benefited by seales, which are there taken in time of the yéere. Thrée score miles from this also is the Hirth, whose inhabitants are rude in all good science and religion; yet is the Iland verie fruitfull in all things, and bringeth foorth shéepe farre greater than are else-where to be found, for they are as big as our fallow deare, horned like bugles, and haue their tailes hanging to the ground. He that is owner of this Ile,Baptisme without preests. sendeth ouer his bai|liffe into the same at midsummer, to gather in his du|ties, and with him a préest to saie masse, and to bap|tise all the children borne since that time of the yéere precedent: or if none will go ouer with him (bicause the voiage is dangerous) then doth each father take paine to baptise his owne at home. Their rents are paid commonlie in dried seales and sea foule. All the whole Ile is not aboue a mile euerie waie; and ex|cept thrée mounteines that lie vpon one part of the shore, such as dwell in the other Iles can see no part thereof.

Being past the Uisse, we came after to Wa|laie, the Soa, the Strome, to Pabaie, to Barner, Ensaie, Killiger, the two Sagas, the Hermodraie, Scarfe, Grie, Ling, Gilling, Heie, Hoie, Farlaie, great So, little So, Ise, Sein the more, Sein the lesse, Tarant, Slegan, Tuom, Scarpe, Hareie, and the seauen holie Ilands, which are desert and bréed nothing but a kind of wild shéepe,Wild sheepe. which are often hunted, but seldome or neuer eaten. For in stéed of flesh they haue nothing but tallow; and if anie flesh be, it is so vnsauorie, that few men care to eate of it, except great hunger compell them. I suppose, that these be the wild sheepe which will not be tamed; and bicause of the horrible grenning thereof, is taken for the bastard tiger. Their haire is betweene the wooll of a sheepe,Tigers. and the haire of a goat, resembling both, shacked, and yet absolutelie like vnto neither of both: it maie be also the same beast which Capitolinus cal|leth Ouis fera, shewed in the time of Gordian the em|perour; albeit that some take the same for the Ca|melopardalis: but hereof I make no warrantise.

There is also not farre off the Garuell, the Lambe, the Flad, the Kellas, the two Bernars, the Kirt, the two Buies, the Uixaie, the Pabaie, the two Si|grams, and the Ile of PigmeiesIle of Pig|meies. (which is so called vpon some probable coniecture) for manie little sculs and bones are dailie there found déepe in the ground, perfectlie, resembling the bodies of children; & not a|nie of greater quantities, wherby their coniecture (in their opinion) is the more likelie to be true. There is also the Fabill Ile, Adams Ile, the Ile of Lambes, Hulmes, Uiccoll, Haueraie, Cax, Era, Columbes Ile, Tor Ile, Iffurd, Scalpe, Flad, and the Swet; on whose east side is a certeine vault or caue, arched o|uer, a flight shoot in length, wherevnto meane ships do vse to runne for harbour with full saile when a tempest ouertaketh them, or the raging of the sea, in those parts do put them in danger of wrecke. Also we passed by the old castell Ile, which is a pretie and, verie commodious plat for fish, foule, egges, corne and pasture. There is also the Ile Eust or Eu, which is full of wood, and a notable harbour for théeues, as is also the Grinort; likewise the preests Ile, which is verie full of sea foule and good pasture. The Afull, the two Herbrerts, to wit, the greater and the lesse; and the Iles of Horsses, and Mertaika: and these 8 lie ouer against the baie which is called the Lake Brian. After this, we go toward the north, and come to the Haraie, and the Lewis or the Leug, both which make (in truth) but one Iland of thrée score miles in length, and sixtéene in breadth, being distinguished by no water, but by huge woods, bounds, and limits of the two owners that doo possesse those parts. The south part is called Haraie, and the whole situate in the Deucalidon sea, ouer against the Rosse, & called Thule by Tacitus, Lewis called Thule by Tacitus, with no better authoritie than the An|gleseie Mona. wherein are manie lakes, and verie pretie villages, as lake Erwi illegible n, lake Unsalsago: but of townes, S. Clements, Stoie, Nois, S. Co|lumbane, Radmach, &c. In like sort, there are two churches, whereof one is dedicated to saint Peter, an other to S. Clement, beside a monasterie called Roadill. The soile also of this Ile is indifferent fruit|full; but they reape more profit vnder the ground than aboue, by digging. There is neither woolfe, fox, nor serpent séene in this Iland; yet are there great woods therein, which also separate one part from the other. Likewise there be plentie of stags, but farre lesse in quantitie than ours: and in the north part of the Iland also is a riuer which greatlie aboundeth with salmons. That part also called Lewisa, which is the north half of the Ile is well inhabited toward the sea coasts, and hath riuers no lesse plentifull for sal|mon than the other halfe. There is also great store of herrings taken, whereof the fisher men doo raise great gaine and commoditie; and no lesse plentie of sheepe, which they doo not sheere, but plucke euerie yeere; yet is the ground of this part verie heathie, and full of mosse, and the face thereof verie swart and blacke, for the space of a foot in depth, through the corruption of such woods as in time past haue rotted on the same. And therefore in time of the yeere they conuert it into turffe to burne, as néede shall serue; and in the yéere after, hauing well doonged it in the meane time with slawke of the sea, they sowe bar|leie in the selfe places where the turffes grew, and reape verie good corne, wherewith they liue and féed. Such plentie of whales also are taken in this coast,Tithe whales. that the verie tithe hath béene knowne, in some one yéere, to amount vnto seauen and twentie whales of one greatnesse and other. This is notable also in this part of the Ile, that there is a great caue two yards déepe of water when the sea is gone, and not aboue foure when it is at the highest; ouer which great numbers doo sit of both sexes and ages, with hooks and lines, and catch at all times an infinite deale of fish, wherewith they liue, and which maketh them also the more idle.

Being past this about sixtie miles, we come vnto the Rona, or Ron, which some take for the last of the Hebrides, distant (as I said) about fortie miles from the Orchades, and one hundreth and thirtie from the promontorie of Dungishe. The inhabitants of this Ile are verie rude and irreligious, the lord also of the soile dooth limit their number of housholds, & hauing assigned vnto them what numbers of the greater and smaller sorts of cattell they shall spend and inioie for their owne prouision, they send the ouerplus yéerlie vnto him to Lewis. Their cheefe paiments consist of a great quantitie of meale, which is verie plenti|full among them, sowed vp in shéepes skins. Also of mutton and sea foule dried, that resteth ouer and a|boue, which they themselues do spend. And if it happen that there be more people in the Iland than the lords booke or rate dooth come vnto, then they send also the ouerplus of them in like maner vnto him: by which means they liue alwaies in plentie. They receiue no vices from strange countries, neither know or heare of anie things doone else-where than in their owne Iland. Manie whales are taken also vpon their coasts, which are likewise replenished with seale, and porpasse, and those which are either so tame, or so fierce, that they abash not at the sight of such as looke vpon them, neither make they anie hast to flie out of their presence.

Beyond this Ile, about 16 miles westward, there is another called Suilscraie,Suilscraie. of a mile length, void of grasse, and without so much as heath growing vpon hir soile: yet are there manie cliffes and rocks there|in, which are couered with blacke mosse, whereon in|numerable sorts of foules do bréed and laie their egs. Thither in like sort manie doo saile from Lewissa, to take them yoong in time of the yeare, before they be able to flie, which they also kill and drie in eight daies space, and then returne home againe with them, and great plentie of fethers fathered in this voiage. One thing is verie strange and to be noted in this Iland, of the Colke foule,Colke foule. which is little lesse than a goose; and this kind commeth thither but once in the yeare, to wit, in the spring, to laie hir egs and bring vp hir yoong, till they be able to shift for themselues, & then they get them awaie togither to the sea, and come no more vntill that time of the yéere which next insueth. At the same season also they cast their fethers there, as it were answering tribute to nature for the vse of hir mossie soile: wherein it is woonderfull to sée, that those fethers haue no stalkes, neither anie thing that is hard in them, but are séene to couer their bo|dies as it were wooll or downe, till breeding time (I saie) wherein they be left starke naked.

The Orchades (whose first inhabitants were the Scithians,Orchades. which came from those Iles where the Gothes did inhabit, as some sparks yet remaining among them of that language doo declare) lie partlie in the Germaine, and partlie in the Calidon seas, ouer against the point of Dunghisbie (being in number eight and twentie, or as other saie thirtie & one, yet some saie thirtie thrée, as Orosius, but Plinie saith fortie) and now belonging to the crowne of Scotland, as are the rest whereof héeretofore I haue made report, since we crossed ouer the mouth of the Solueie streame, to come into this countrie. Certes the people of these Islands reteine much of their old sparing diets, and therevnto they are of goodlie sta|ture, tall, verie comelie, healthfull, of long life, great strength, whitish colour, as men that feed most vpon fish; sith the cold is so extreame in those parts, that the ground bringeth foorth but small store of wheate, and in maner verie little or no fuell at all, wherewith to warme them in the winter, and yet it séemeth that (in times past) some of these Ilands also haue béene well replenished with wood, but now they are without either trée or shrub, in stéed whereof they haue plen|tie of heath, which is suffered to grow among them, rather thorough their negligence, than that the soile of it selfe will not yéeld to bring foorth trées & bushes. For what store of such hath beene in times past, the roots yet found and digged out of the ground doo yéeld sufficient triall. Otes they haue verie plenti|fullie, but greater store of barleie, wherof they make a nappie kind of drinke, and such indéed, as will verie readilie cause a stranger to ouershoot himselfe. How|beit this may be vnto vs in lieu of a miracle, that al|though their drinke be neuer so strong, & they them|selues so vnmeasurable drinkers (as none are more) yet it shall not easilie be séene (saith Hector) that there is anie drunkard among them,If he speake all in truth. either frantike, or mad man, dolt, or naturall foole, meet to weare a cockescombe.

This vnmeasurable drinking of theirs is confes|sed also by Buchanan, who noteth, that whensoeuer anie wine is brought vnto them from other soiles, they take their parts thereof aboundantlie. He ad|deth moreouer, how they haue an old bole (which they call S. Magnus bole, who first preached Christ vnto them) of farre greater quantitie than common boles are, and so great, that it may séeme to be reser|ued since the Lapithane banket, onelie to quaffe and drinke in. And when anie bishop commeth vnto them, they offer him this bole full of drinke, which if he be able to drinke vp quite at one draught; then they assure themselues of good lucke, and plentie after it. Neuerthelesse this excesse is not often found in the common sort, whom penurie maketh to be more fru|gall; but in their priests, and such as are of the richer calling. They succour pirats also, and verie often ex|change their vittels with their commodities, rather for feare and want of power to resist (their Ilands li|eng so scattered) than for anie necessitie of such gains as they doo get by those men: for in truth, they thinke themselues to haue little need of other furniture than their owne soiles doo yéeld and offer vnto them. This is also to be read of the inhabitants of these Ilands, that ignorance of excesse is vnto the most part of them in stéed of physicke; and labour and trauell a me|dicine for such few diseases as they are molested and incombred withall.

In like sort they want venemous beasts, cheefe|lie such as doo delight in hotter soile, and all kinds of ouglie creatures. Their ewes also are so full of in|crease, that some doo vsuallie bring foorth two, three, or foure lambes at once, whereby they account our anelings (which are such as bring foorth but one at once) rather barren than to be kept for anie gaine. As for wild and tame foules, they haue such plentie of them, that the people there account them rather a burthen to their soile, than a benefit to their tables: they haue also neat and gotes, whereby they abound in white meat, as butter and cheese: wherein, next vnto fish, the chéefe part of their sustenance dooth con|sist. There is also a bishop of the Orchades, who hath his see in Pomona the chéefe of all the Ilands, where|in also are two strong castels, and such hath béene the superstition of the people here, that there is almost no one of them, that hath not one church at the least dedicated to the mother of Christ. Finallie, there is little vse of physicke in these quarters, lesse store of éeles, and least of frogs. As for the horsses that are bred amongst them, they are commonlie not much greater than asses, and yet to labour and trauell, a man shall find verie few else-where, able to come neere, much lesse to match with them, in holding out their iournies. The seas about these Ilands are ve|rie tempestuous, not onelie through strong winds, and the influences of the heauens and stars; but by the contrarie méetings and workings of the west o|cean, which rageth so vehementlie in the streicts, that no vessell is able to passe in safetie amongst them. Some of these Ilands also are so small and low, that all the commoditie which is to be reaped by anie of them, is scarselie sufficient to susteine one or two men: and some of them so barren and full of rocks, that they are nothing else but mosse or bare shingle. Wherefore onelie thirteene of them are inhabited and made account of, the rest being left vnto their sheepe and cattell. Of all these Ilands also Pomona is the greatest, and therfore called the continent, which con|teineth thirtie miles in length, and is well repleni|shed with people: for it hath twelue parish churches, and one towne, which the Danes (sometime lords of that Iland) called Cracouia:Kirkwa. but now it hight Kirk|wa. There are also two pretie holds, one belonging to the king, the other to the bishop: and also a beauti|full church, and much building betweene the two holds, and about this church, which being taken as it were for two townes, the one is called the kings and the other the bishops towne. All the whole Iland is full of cliffes and promontories, whereby no small number of baies and some hauens are producted.

There is also tin and lead to be found in six of these Iles, so good and plentifullie as anie where else in Britaine. It lieth foure & twentie miles from Cath|nesse, being separated from the same by the Pic|tish sea: wherein also lie certeine Ilands, as Stro|ma, foure miles from Cathnesse, which albeit that it be but foure miles from Cathnesse, is not reputed for anie of the Orchades. Going therefore from hence northward, we come to the first Ile of the Orchades, called south Rauals, which is sixtéene miles from Dunghilsbie, aliàs Dunachisbie, & that in two houres space, such is the swiftnesse of the sea in that tract. This Ile is fiue miles long, and hath a faire port cal|led saint Margarets hauen. Then passe we by two desert Iles, which lie towards the east, wherein no|thing is found but cattell: some call them the hol|mes, bicause they lie low, and are good for nothing but grasse. On the northside lieth the Bur, and two other holmes betweene the same Pomona. From Bur, to|ward the west lie thrée Iles, Snu, Flat, and Far: and beyond them Hoie and Uall, which some accompt for two, and other but for one; bicause that in March and September, the flats that lie betwéene them, doo séeme to ioine them togither, after the tide is gone. This neuerthelesse is certeine, that in this single or double Ile, which is ten miles in length, the highest hilles are to be séene that are in all the Orchades. And as they lie eight miles from Rauals, so are they two miles from Pomona, from saint Donats in Scotland full twentie miles. And on the north side of it lieth the Brainse, in a narrow streict, as Bucha|nan dooth remember. And these are the Iles which lie betweene Pomona and Cathnesse. As for the west side of the continent, I find that it lieth open to the sea, without either shelues, Ilands, or rocks, appée|ring néere vnto it: but on the east side thereof Co|besa dooth in maner ouershadow it. Siapiusa also an Ile of six miles long, lieth within two miles of Cra|couia. Toward the east, on the west side of Pomo|na lieth the Rouse, of six miles in length: and by east of that, the Eglisa, wherin (as they saie) their patrone S. Magnus lieth interred. From hense southward lie the Uera Gersa, and not far off the Uester (which is fourescore miles from Hethland) Papa, & Stron|za, which is also eightie miles from Hethland as the Uester. In the middest also of this tract lieth Far, or Fara, which is to saie, faire Ile, in old English, faire eie: and within sight so well of Hethland, as the Or|chades, by reason of three insuperable rocks which are apparant in the same: a verie poore Iland, and yet yearelie robbed (of such commodities as it hath) by such Flemish and English fishermen as passe by the coasts thereof in time of the yeare, to catch fish for the prouision of their countries.

Next vnto this is the greatest of all the Hethlands, an Iland called the Maine, sixtie miles in length, and sixteene in bredth, full of rocks, and whose coasts are onelie inhabited, the innermost parts being lest vnto the foules of the aire, bicause of the barrennesse and vnfruitfulnesse of the soile: yet of late some haue indeuoured to impeople it, but with no successe cor|respondent to their desire. Wherefore they returned to their former trades, making their chéefe commo|ditie and yearelie gaine by fish, as aforetime. Ten miles from this toward the north, lieth the Zeale, twentie miles in length, eight in bredth, and so wild that it will suffer no creature to liue thereof, that is not bred therein. Betwéene this Iland also and the Maine, are other smaller Ilands to be found, as the Ling, Orne, Big, and Sanferre. And from hense nine miles northward Usta, twentie miles long, & six in bredth, plaine, pleasant, but inuironed with a swift and terrible sea. Betwéene this also and the Zeale, are the Uie, the Ure, and the Ling: also to|wards the west, the two Skenes, Chalseie, Nord|wade, Brase, and Mowse, on the west side lie the west Skenes, Rottia, Papa the lesse, Wunned, Papa the more, Ualla, Tondra, Burra, Haura the more, Haura the lesse, & in maner so manie holmes dispersed heere and there, whereof I haue no notice. Some call these the Shetland, and some the Shotland Iles. Buchanan nameth them in the third member of his diuision Zelandise, and toward the end of his first booke seemeth to auouch, that they liue in maner as doo the inhabitants of the Orchades: al|though not in so ciuill wise, nor in such large mea|sure and aboundance of diet in their houses. He ad|deth moreouer, that their apparrell is after the Ger|maine cut, comelie, but not so chargeable and costlie, and how they raise their gaine by skins of beasts, as marterns, sheepe, oxen, and gotes skins, and there|vnto a kind of cloth which they weaue, and sell to the merchants of Norwaie, togither with their butter, fish, either salted or dried, and their traine oile, and ex|ercise their trade of fishing also in their vncerteine skewes, which they fetch out of Norwaie.

Their speech is Gothish, and such of them as by their dealing with forren merchants doo gather anie wealth, that they will verie often bestow vpon the furniture of their houses. Their weights & measures are after the Germaine maner, their countrie is verie healthie, and so wholesome, that of late a man was found which had maried a wife at one hundred yeares of age, and was able to go out a fishing with his bote at one hundred and fortie, and of late yéeres died of méere age, without anie other disease. Dron|kennesse is not heard of among them, and yet they meet and make good chéere verie often. Neither doo I read of anie great vse of flesh or foule there, although that some of their Ilands haue plentie of each. Nor anie mention of corne growing in these parts, and therefore in steed of bread they drie a kind of fish, which they beat in morters to powder, & bake it in their ouens, vntill it be hard and drie. Their fu|ell also is of such bones as the fish yéeldeth, that is taken on their coasts: and yet they liue as them|selues suppose in much felicitie, thinking it a great péece of their happinesse to be so farre distant from the wicked auarice, and cruell dealings of the more rich and ciuill part of the world.

Herein also they are like vnto the Hirthiens, in that at one time of the yeare, there commeth a priest vnto them out of the Orchades (vnto which iurisdic|tion they doo belong) who baptiseth all such children, as haue béene borne among them, since he last arri|ued, and hauing afterward remained there for a two daies, he taketh his tithes of them (which they prouide and paie with great scrupulositie in fish, for of other commodities paie they none) and then re|turneth home againe, not without boast of his trou|blesome voiage, except he watch his time. In these Iles also is great plentie of fine Amber to be hadAmber. (as Hector saith) which is producted by the working of the sea vpon those coasts: but more of this elsewhere. This neuertheles is certeine, that these Ilands, with the Orchades, were neuer perfectlie vnited to the crowne of Scotland, till the mariage was made be|twéene king Iames and the ladie Marie daughter to Christierne king of Denmarke 1468; which Chri|stierne at the birth of their sonne Iames (afterward king of Scotland and called Iames the fourth) re|signed all his right and title whatsoeuer either he or his ancestors either presently or hertofore had, might haue had, or herafrer may or should haue, vnto the a|foresaid péeres, as appéereth by the charter.

From these Shetland Iles, and vntill we come southwards to the Scarre, which lieth in Buquham|nesse, I find no mention of anie Ile situat vpon that coast, neither greatlie from thence, vntill we come at the Forth, that leadeth vp to Sterling, neither thought we it safetie for vs to search so farre as Thu|le, whence the most excellent brimstone commeth, & thereto what store of Ilands lie vnder the more nor|therlie climats, whose secret situations though part|lie seene in my time, haue not yet bin perfectlie reue|led or discouered by anie, bicause of the great aboun|dance of huge Ilands of ice that mooueth to and fro vpon their shores, and sundrie perilous gulfes and indraughts of water, and for as much as their know|lege doth not concerne our purpose, wherfore casting about, we came at the last into the Firth or Forth, which some call the Scotish sea, wherein we passe by seuen or eight such as they be, of which the first called the Maie, the second Baas, and Garwie the third, doo séeme to be inhabited. From these also holding on our course toward England, we passe by another Ile, wherein Faux castell standeth, and this (so far as my skill serueth) is the last Iland of the Scotish side, in compassing whereof I am not able to discerne, whether their flats and shallowes, number of Ilands without name, confusion of situation, lacke of true description, or mine owne ignorance hath troubled me most. No meruell therefore that I haue béene so oft on ground among them. But most ioifull am I that am come home againe: & although not by the Thames mouth into my natiue citie (which taketh his name of Troie) yet into the English dominion, where good interteinement is much more franke and copious, and better harborough wherein to rest my wearie bones, and refresh at ease our wether beaten carcasses.

The first Iland therefore which commeth to our sight, after we passed Berwike, is that which was somtime called Lindesfarne, but now Holie Iland,Lindesfarne or Holie I|land. and conteineth eight miles; a place much honored a|mong our monasticall writers, bicause diuerse moonks and heremits did spend their times therein. There was also the bishops see of Lindesfarne for a long season, which afterward was translated to Che|ster in the stréet, & finallie to Duresine, Dunelme, or Durham. It was first erected by Oswald, wherein he placed Aidanus the learned Scotish moonke, who came hither out of the Ile called Hij, whereof Beda speaking in the third chapter of his third booke, no|teth, that although the said Hij belong to the kings of Northumberland, by reason of situation & néere|nesse to the coast; yet the Picts appointed the bishops of the same, and gaue the Ile with the see it selfe to such Scotish moonks as they liked, bicause that by their preaching they first receiued the faith. But to re|turne to Lindesfarne. After Aidan departed this life, Finanus finished and builded the whole church with sawed timber of oke, after the maner of his coun|trie, which when Theodorus the archbishop of Can|turburie had dedicated, Edbert the bishop did couer ouer with lead.

Next vnto this is the Ile of Farne,Farne. and herein is a place of defense so far as I remember, and so great store of egs laid there by diuerse kinds of wildfoule in time of the yeare, that a man shall hardlie run for a wager on the plaine ground without the breach of manie, before his race be finished. About Farne also lie certeine Iles greater than Farne it selfe, but void of inhabitants; and in these also is great store of puffins,Puffins. graie as duckes, and without coloured fe|thers, sauing that they haue a white ring round a|bout their necks. There is moreouer another bird,Saint Cuth|berts foules. which the people call saint Cuthberts foules, a verie tame and gentle creature, and easie to be taken. Af|ter this we came to the Cocket Iland; so called, bi|cause it lieth ouer against the fall of Cocket water. Herein is a veine of meane seacole, which the people dig out of the shore at the low water; and in this I|land dwelled one Henrie sometime a famous here|mite, who (as his life declareth) came of the Danish race. And from thence vntill we came vnto the coast of Norffolke I saw no more Ilands.

Being therfore past S. Edmunds point, we found a litle Ile ouer against the fall of the water that commeth from Holkham, & likewise another ouer a|gainst the Claie, before we came at Waburne hope: the third also in Yarmouth riuer ouer against Brad|well, a towne in low or little England, whereof also I must néeds saie somewhat, bicause it is in maner an Iland, and as I gesse either hath béene or may be one: for the brodest place of the strict land that lea|deth to the same, is little aboue a quarter of a mile, which against the raging waues of the sea can make but small resistance. Little EnglandLittle Eng|land. or low Eng|land therefore is about eight miles in length and foure in bredth, verie well replenished with townes, as Fristan, Burgh castell, Olton, Flixton, Les|toft, Gunton, Blundston, Corton, Lownd, Ashe|bie, Hoxton, Belton, Bradwell, and Gorleston, and beside this it is verie fruitfull and indued with all commodities.

Going forward from hence, by the Estonnesse (almost an Iland) I saw a small parcell cut from the maine in Oxford hauen, the Langerstone in Orwell mouth, & two péeces or Islets at Cattiwade bridge; and then casting about vnto the Colne, we beheld MerseieMerseie. which is a pretie Iland, well furnished with wood. It was sometime a great receptacle for the Danes when they inuaded England; howbeit at this present it hath beside two decaied blockehouses, two parish churches, of which one is called east Mer|seie, the other west Merseie, and both vnder the arch|deacon of Colchester, as parcell of his iurisdiction. Foulenesse is an Ile void of wood,Foulnesse. and yet well re|plenished with verie good grasse for neat and sheepe, whereof the inhabitants haue great plentie: there is also a parish church, and albeit that it stand somewhat distant from the shore, yet at a dead low water a man may (as they saie) ride thereto if he be skilfull of the causie; it is vnder the iurisdiction of London. And at this present master William Tabor bacheler of diuinitie and archdeacon of Essex hath it vnder his iurisdiction & regiment, by the surrender of mai|ster Iohn Walker doctor also of diuinitie, who liued at such time as I first attempted to commit this booke to the impression.

In Maldon water are in like sort thrée Ilands inuironed all with salt streames, as saint Osithes, Northeie,Osithe. Northeie. and another (after a mersh) that beareth no name so far as I remember. On the right hand al|so as we went toward the sea againe, we saw Ram|seie Ile, or rather a Peninsula or Biland,Ramseie. & likewise the Reie,Reie. in which is a chappell of saint Peter. And then coasting vpon the mouth of the Bourne, we saw the Wallot Ile and his mates, whereof two lie by east Wallot, and the fourth is Foulnesse, except I be deceiued, for here my memorie faileth me on the one side, and information on the other, I meane concerning the placing of Foulenesse. But to pro|céed. After this, and being entered into the Thames mouth, I find no Iland of anie name, except you ac|compt Rochford hundred for one, whereof I haue no mind to intreat, more than of Crowland, Mersland, Elie, and the rest, that are framed by the ouze, An|dredeseie in Trent, so called of a church there dedica|ted to saint Andrew, and Auon (two noble riuers hereafter to be described) sith I touch onelie those that are inuironed with the sea or salt water round about, as we may see in the CanwaieCanwaie. Iles, which some call marshes onelie, and liken them to an ipo|cras bag, some to a vice, scrue, or wide sléeue, bi|cause they are verie small at the east end, and large at west. The salt rilles also that crosse the same doo so separat the one of them from the other, that they re|semble the slope course of the cutting part of a scrue or gimlet, in verie perfect maner, if a man doo ima|gine himselfe to looke downe from the top of the mast vpon them. Betwéene these, moreouer and the Leigh towne lieth another litle Ile or Holme, whose name is to me vnknowne. Certes I would haue gone to land and viewed these parcels as they laie, or at the least haue sailed round about them by the whole hauen, which may easilie be doone at an high water: but for as much as a perrie of wind (scarse comparable to the makerell gale, whereof Iohn A|nele of Calis one of the best seamen that England euer bred for his skill in the narow seas was woont to talke) caught hold of our sailes, & caried vs forth the right waie toward London, I could not tarie to sée what things were hereabouts. Thus much there|fore of our Ilands, & so much may well suffice where more cannot be had.

_HAuing (as you haue séene) at|tempted to set downe a full discourse of all the Ilands, that are situat vpon the coast of Britaine, and finding the successe not correspondent to mine intent, it hath caused me somewhat to restreine my purpose in this description also of our riuers. For whereas I intended at the first to haue written at large, of the number, situation, names, quantities, townes, villages, castels, mounteines, fresh waters, plashes or lakes, salt waters, and other commodi|ties of the aforesaid Iles, mine expectation of infor|mation from all parts of England, was so deceiued in the end, that I was fame at last onelie to leane to that which I knew my selfe either by reading, or such other helpe as I had alreadie purchased and gotten of the same. And euen so it happeneth in this my tractation of waters, of whose heads, courses, length, bredth, depth of chanell (for burden) ebs, flow|ings, and falles, I had thought to haue made a per|fect description vnder the report also of an imagined course taken by them all. But now for want of in|struction, which hath béene largelie promised, & slack|lie perfourmed, and other sudden and iniurious de|niall of helpe voluntarilie offered, without occasion giuen on my part, I must needs content my selfe with such obseruations as I haue either obteined by mine owne experience, or gathered from time to time out of other mens writings: whereby the full discourse of the whole is vtterlie cut off, and in steed of the same a mangled rehearsall of the residue set downe and left in memorie.

Wherefore I beséech your honour to pardon this imperfection and rudenesse of my labour, which not|withstanding is not altogither in vaine, sith my er|rors maie prooue a spurre vnto the better skilled, ei|ther to correct or inlarge where occasion serueth, or at the leastwise to take in hand a more absolute péece of worke, as better direction shall incourage them thereto. The entrance and beginning of euerie thing is the hardest; and he that beginneth well, hath atchi|ued halfe his purpose. The ice (my lord) is broken, and from hencefoorth it will be more easie for such as shall come after to wade through with the rest, sith Facile est inuentis addere; and to continue and finish, is not so great a matter in building, as to attempt and laie the foundation or platforme of anie noble péece of workmanship, though it be but rudelie hand|led. But to my purpose. As I began at the ThamesThamesis. in my description of Ilands, so will I now doo the like with that of famous riuers; making mine en|trie at the said riuer it selfe, of whose founteine some men make as much adoo, as in time past of the true head of Nilus, which, till of late (if it be yet descried) was neuer found: or the Tanais, whose originall was neuer knowne, nor shall be: for whilest one placeth it here, another there; there are none at all that deale with it exactlie. Wherefore leaning to such mens writings as haue of set purpose sought out the spring of the Thames; I affirme, that this famous streame hath his head or beginning out of the side of an hill, standing in the plaines of Cotswold, about one mile from Tetburie, néere vnto the Fosse (an high waie so called of old) where it was sometime named Isis, or the Ouse, although diuerse doo ignorantlie call it the Thames euen there, rather of a foolish custome than anie skill, bicause they either neglect or vtterlie are ignorant how it was named at the first. From hence it runneth directlie toward the east (as all good riuers should) and méeteth with the Cirne or Churne, (a brooke called in Latine Corinium) whereof Cirn|cesterCorinium. towne (by which it commeth) doth take the denomination.

From hence it hasteth vnto Créekelade, aliàs Crekanford, Lechlade, Radcotebridge, Newbridge, and Eouesham, receiuing by the waie an infinit sort of small streames, brookes, beckes, waters, and rundels: and here on this side of the towne diuideth it selfe into two courses, of which the one goeth straight to Botleie and Hinkseie, the other by God|stow, a village not farre off. This latter spreadeth it selfe also for a while into sundrie smaller branches, which run not farre yer they be reunited, and then beclipping sundrie pleasant medowes, it passeth at length by Oxford,Charwell. of some supposed rather to be cal|led Ouseford of this riuer, where it m illegible eteth with the Charwell, and a litle from whence the originall bran|ches doo ioine and go togither by Abbandune (aliàs Sensham or Abington as we call it) although no part of it at the first came so néere the towne as it doth now,Some write, that the maine streame was brought thi|ther which ranne before betweene An|dredeseie and Culenham. till a branch thereof was led thither from the maine streame, thorough the industrie of the moonks, as (beside the testimonie of old records thereof yet extant to be séene) by the decaie of Cair Dour now Dorchester it selfe, sometime the through|fare from Wal illegible s and the west countrie to London, which insued vpon this fact, is easie to be seene. From hence it goeth to Dorchester, and so to Thame, where ioining with a riuer of the same denomination, it looseth the name of Isis or Ouse (whereof Ousencie at Oxford is producted) and from thenceforth is called Thamesis. From Thame it goeth to Wallingford, and so to Reding,Pontium. which in time past, of the number of bridges there, was called Pontium; albeit that the English name doth rather proceed from Rhe, or Ree,Saint Marie ouer Rhee. the Saxon word for a water-course or riuer, which maie be séene in Ouerée, or Sutherée, for ouer the Ree, or south of the Rhee, as to the skilfull doth readi|lie appéere; yet some hold (and not altogither against probabilitie and likelihood) that the word Sutherée is so called of Sudrijc, to wit, the south kingdome, wherevnto in part the Thames is a bound. But that holdeth not in denomination, either of the said church or name of the foresaid countie. Other affirme like|wise, that Reding is so called of the Greeke word ( foreign ) which is to ouer flowe. Certes, as neither of these coniectures are to be contemned, so the last cõmeth most neere to mine aid, who affirme, that not onelie the course of euerie water it selfe, but also his ouer flowing was in time past called Rhe, by such Saxons as inhabited in this Iland: and euen to this daie in Essex I haue oft obserued, that when the low|er grounds by rage of water haue béene ouerflow|en, the people beholding the same, haue said; All is on a Rhe, as if they should haue said; All is now a riuer, albeit the word Riuer be deriued from the French, and borrowed by them from the Latins: but not without corruption, as it was brought vnto them. I will not here giue notice how farre they are decei|ued, which call the aforesaid church by the name of S. Marie Auderies, or S. Marie ouer Isis, or Ise. But I will procéed with the course of this noble streame, which, howsoeuer these matters stand it hath passed by Reding, and there receiued the Kenet,Kenet. which commeth from the hilles that lie west of Marlebo|rough, & then the Thetis,Thetis. commonlie called the Tide that commeth from Thetisford: it hieth to Sudling|ton otherwise called Maiden head, and so to Win|dleshore (or Windsore) Eaton, and then to Chertseie, where Erkenwald bishop of London, sometime buil|ded a religious house or cell, as I doo read.

From Chertseie it hasteth directlie vnto Stanes, and receiuing an other streame by the waie, called the ColeCole. (wherevpon Colbrooke standeth) it goeth by Kingstone, Shene, Sion, and Brentford or Bregent|ford, where it méeteth the Brane or the Brene, ano|ther brook descending from Edgeworth, whose name signifieth a frog, in the Brittish speach. Upon this also sir Iohn Thin had sometime a statelie house, with a maruellous prouision to inclose and reteine such fish as should come about the same.Brene. From Brentfoord it passeth by Mortlach, Putneie, Fulham, Batterseie, Chelseie, Lambeth, and so to London. Finallie going from thence vnto the sea, it taketh the Lée with it by the waie vpon the coast of Essex, and the Darnt vpon Kent side, which riseth néere to Tanrige, and commeth by Shoreham, vnto Dernt|ford,Darwent. wherevnto the CraieCraie. falleth. And last of all the Medwaie a notable riuer (in mine opinion) which watereth all the south and southwest part of Kent, and whose description is not to be omitted heereafter in this place.

Hauing in this maner bréefelie touched this noble riuer, and such brookes as fall into the same; I will now adde a particular description of each of these last by themselues, whereby their courses also shall be se|uerallie described to the satisfaction of the studious. But yer I take the same in hand, I will insert a word or two of the commodities of the said riuer, which I will performe with so much breuitie as is possible; héereby also finding out his whole tract and course from the head to the fall thereof into the sea. It appeareth euidentlie that the length thereof is at the least, one hundreth and eightie miles, if it be mea|sured by the iourneies of the land. And as it is in course, the longest of the thrée famous riuers of this Ile, so it is nothing inferiour vnto them in aboun|dance of all kind of fish, whereof it is hard to saie, which of the three haue either most plentie, or greatest varietie, if the circumstances be duelie weighed. What some other write of the riuers of their coun|tries it skilleth not, neither will I (as diuerse doo) in|uent strange things of this noble streame, therewith to nobilitate and make it more honorable: but this will I in plaine termes affirme, that it neither swal|loweth vp bastards of the Celtish brood, or casteth vp the right begotten that are throwne in without hurt into their mothers lap, as Politian fableth of the Rhene, Epistiloram lib. 8. epi. 6. nor yéeldeth clots of gold as the Tagus dooth: but an infinit plentie of excellent, swéet and pleasant fish, wherewith such as inhabit néere vnto hir bankes are fed and fullie nourished.

What should I speake of the fat and swéet sal|mons,Salmons. dailie taken in this streame, and that in such plentie (after the time of the smelt be past) as no riuer in Europa is able to excéed it. But what store also of barbels, trouts, cheuins, pearches, smelts, breames, roches, daces, gudgings, flounders, shrimps, &c: are commonlie to be had therein, I refer me to them that know by experience better than I, by reason of their dailie trade of fishing in the same. And albeit it see|meth from time to time, to be as it were defrauded in sundrie wise of these hir large commodities, by the insatiable auarice of the fishermen, yet this fa|mous riuer complaineth commonlie of no want, but the more it looseth at one time, the more it yéeldeth at another. Onelie in carps it séemeth to be scant,Carps a fish late brought into England and later into the Thames. sith it is not long since that kind of fish was brought o|uer into England, and but of late to speake of into this streame, by the violent rage of sundrie land|flouds, that brake open the heads and dams of diuers gentlemens ponds, by which means it became some|what partaker also of this said commoditie, whereof earst it had no portion that I could euer heare. Oh that this riuer might be spared but euen one yeare from nets, &c! But alas then should manie a poore man be vndoone. In the meane time it is lamentable to see, how it is and hath béene choked of late with sands and shelues, through the penning and wresting of the course of the water for commodities sake. But as this is an inconuenience easilie remedied, if good order were taken for the redresse thereof: so now, the fine or paie set vpon the ballaffe sometime freelis giuen to the merchants by patent, euen vnto the lands end (Iusques au poinct) will be another cause of harme vnto this noble streame, and all through an aduantage taken at the want of an (i) in the word ponct: which grew through an error committed by an English notarie vnskilfull in the French toong, wherein that patent was granted.

Furthermore, the said riuer floweth and filleth all his chanels wise in the daie and night, that is in euerie twelue houres once; and this ebbing & flow|ing, holdeth on for the space of seauentie miles, within the maine land: the streame or tide being al|waies highest at London, when the moone dooth ex|actlie touch the northeast and south or west points of the heauens, of which one is visible, the other vnder the earth, and not subiect to our sight. These tides also differ in their times, each one comming latter than other, by so manie minuts as passe yer the reuoluti|on and naturall course of the heauens doo reduce, and bring about the said planet vnto those hir former places:The iust di|stãce betwéen one tide and another. whereby the common difference betwéene one tide and another, is found to consist of twentie foure minuts, which wanteth but twelue of an whole houre in foure and twentie, as experience dooth con|firme. In like sort we sée by dailie triall, that each tide is not of equall heigth and greatnesse. For at the full and change of the moone we haue the greatest flouds, and such is their ordinarie course, that as they dimi|nish from their changes and fuls, vnto the first and last quarters; so afterwards they increase againe, vntill they come to the full and change. Sometimes also they rise so high (if the wind be at the north or northeast, which bringeth in the water with more ve|hemencie, bicause the tide which filleth the chanell, commeth from Scotland ward) that the Thames ouerfloweth hir banks néere vnto London: which hapneth especiallie in the fuls and changes of Ianu|arie and Februarie, wherein the lower grounds are of custome soonest drowned. This order of flowing in like sort is perpetuall, so that when the moone is vpon the southwest and north of points, then is the water by London at the highest: neither doo the tides alter, except some rough winds out of the west or south|west doo kéepe backe and checke the streame in his entrance,The streame oft checked in hir entrance into the land. as the east and northeast doo hasten the comming in thereof, or else some other extraordina|rie occasion, put by the ordinarie course of the nor|therne seas, which fill the said riuer by their naturall returne and flowing. And that both these doo happen eft among, I refer me to such as haue not sildome obserued it, as also the sensible chopping in of thrée or foure tides in one naturall daie, wherof the vnskilfull doo descant manie things.

But how so euer these small matters doo fall out, and how often soeuer this course of the streame doth happen to be disturbed; yet at two seuerall times of the age of the moone, the waters returne to their naturall course and limits of time exactlie. Polydore saith, that this riuer is seldome increased or rather neuer ouerfloweth hir banks by landflouds: but he is herein verie much deceiued, as it shalbe more appa|rantlie séene hereafter. For the more that this riuer is put by of hir right course, the more the water must of necessitie swell with the white waters which run downe from the land: bicause the passage can|not be so swift and readie in the winding as in the streight course. These landflouds also doo greatlie straine the finesse of the streame, in so much that af|ter a great landfloud, you shall take haddocks with your hands beneath the bridge, as they flote aloft vp|on the water, whose eies are so blinded with the thicknesse of that element, that they cannot see where to become, and make shift to saue themselues before death take hold of them. Otherwise the water of it selfe is very cléere, and in comparison next vnto that of the sea, which is most subtile and pure of all other; as that of great riuers is most excellent, in compa|rison of smaller brookes: although Aristotle will haue the salt water to be most grosse, bicause a ship will beare a greater burden on the sea than on the fresh water; and an eg sinke in this that swimmeth on the other. But he may easilie be answered by the quantitie of roome and aboundance of waters in the sea; whereby it becommeth of more force to susteine such vessels as are committed to the same, and wher|vnto the greatest riuers (God wot) are nothing com|parable. I would here make mention of sundrie bridges placed ouer this noble streame, of which that of London is most chieflie to be commended,London bridge. for it is in maner a cõtinuall street, well replenished with large and statelie houses on both sides, and situat vpon twentie arches, whereof ech one is made of ex|cellent free squared stone, euerie of them being thrée|score foot in heigth, and full twentie in distance one from another, as I haue often viewed.

In like maner I could intreat of the infinit num|ber2000 boates vpon the Thames and 3000 pooreinẽ mainteined by the same whose gaines come in most plentifullie in the tearme tune. of swans dailie to be séene vpon this riuer, the two thousand wherries and small boats, whereby thrée thousand poore watermen are mainteined, through the cariage and recariage of such persons as passe or repasse, from time to time vpon the same: beside those huge tideboats, tiltbotes, and barges, which ei|ther carrie passengers, or bring necessarie prouision from all quarters of Oxfordshire, Barkeshire, Buc|kinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Herfordshire, Midle|sex, Essex, Surrie, and Kent, vnto the citie of Lon|don. But for somuch as these things are to be repea|ted againe in the particular description of London, annexed to his card; I surceasse at this time to speake anie more of them here, as not lingering but hasting to performe my promise made euen now, not yet forgotten, and in performance where|of I thinke it best to resume the description of this noble riuer againe into my hands, and in adding whatsoeuer is before omitted, to deliuer a full and perfect demonstration of his course. How and where the said streame ariseth, is alreadie & with sufficien|cie set downe, noting the place to be within a mile of Tetburie, whereof some doo vtterlie mislike, bi|cause that rill in summer drouths is oft so drie, that there is little or no water at all séene running aboue ground in the same. For this cause the therefore manie affirme the verie head of IsisIsis. to come from the poole aboue Kemble. Other confound it with the head of the Cirne or Chirne, called in Latine Corinium that riseth aboue Coberleie. For my part I follow Le|land, as he dooth the moonke of Malmesburie, which wrote the historie intituled Eulogium historiarum, who searched the same of set purpose, and pronoun|ced with Leland, although at this present that course be verie small, and choked vp (as I heare) with grauell and sand. Procéeding therefore from the head, it first of all receiueth the Kemble water called the Coue, which riseth aboue Kemble towne,Couus. goeth by Kemble it selfe vnto Poole and Somerford, and then (accompanieth the Thames) vnto Canes, Ash|ton, Canes, and Howston, holding on in one chanell vntill they méet with the Chirne, the next of all to be described.

The Chirne is a faire water arising out of the ground aboue Coberleie,Corinium. from whence it runneth to Cowleie, Cowlesburne, Randcome, and so into the Isis on the left side aboue Crekelade. These thrée waters being thus vnited and brought into one cha|nell, within a little space of the head of Isis, it run|neth on by Crekelade, beneath which towne it recei|ueth the Rhe, descending from Elcombe,Rhe. Escot, Redburne, Widhill, & at the fall into Isis, or not far off ioineth with another that runneth west of Pur|ton by Braden forrest, &c. Next of all our Isis mée|teth with the Amneie on the left hand, which com|ming from aboue Holie roode Amneie,Amneie. runneth by Downe Amneie, and finallie into the Isis a little a|boue Iseie. In like sort I read of another that mée|teth withall on the right hand aboue Iseie also, which so far as I can call to remembrance, commeth from about Orifield and falleth so into our Isis, that they run as one vntill they come at the Colne, although not so nakedlie and without helpe, but that in this voiage, the maine streame dooth crosse one water that descendeth from Swindon, and going also by Stratton toward Seuingham, is it selfe increa|sed with two rils by the waie, whereof one commeth from Liddenton by Wambreie, as I haue béene in|formed.

The Colne is a faire riuer rising by north neere to Witchington,Colneius, Co|lineus, or Co|lunus. & from thence goeth to Shiptons, Compton Abdale, Wittenton, Yarneworth, Colne Deanes, and Colne Rogers, Winston, Biberie, Colne Alens, Quenington, Faireford, and west of Lachelade into the riuer Isis, which hereabout on the southside also taketh in another, whereof I find this remembrance. The Isis being once past Se|uingham, crosseth a brooke from southest that moun|teth about Ashbirie, and receiuing a rill from by|west (that commeth from Hinton) beneath Shrine|ham, it afterward so diuideth it selfe, that the armes therof include Inglesham, and by reason that it fal|leth into the Isis at two seuerall places, there is a plesant Iland producted, whereof let this suffice.

Being past Lechelade a mile,Lecus or Leche. it runneth to saint Iohns bridge, & the reabout méeteth with the Leche on the left hand. This brooke, whereof Lechlade ta|keth the name (a towne wherevnto one péece of an old vniuersitie is ascribed, which it did neuer possesse, more than Crekelade did the other) riseth east of Hampnet, frõ whence it goeth to north Lech, Esten|ton, Anlesworth, east Lech, south Thorpe, Faren|don, & so into the Isis. From hence this famous wa|ter goeth by Kenskot toward Radcote bridge (ta|king in the rill that riseth in an od péece of Barke|shire, and runneth by Langford) and being past the said bridge (now notable through a conspiracie made there sometimes by sundrie barons against the e|state) it is not long yer it crosse two other waters, both of them descending from another od parcell of the said countie, whereof I haue this note giuen me for my further information. There are two fals of water into Isis beneath Radcote bridge, wherof the one commeth from Shilton in Barkeshire by Ares|cote, blacke Burton and Clarrefield. The other also riseth in the same péece, and runneth by Brisenorton vnto Bampton, and there receiuing an armelet from the first that breake off at blacke Burton, it is not long yer they fall into Isis, and leaue a pretie I|land. After these confluences, the maine course of the streame hasteth by Shifford to Newbridge, where it ioineth with the Winrush.Winrush. The Winrush riseth a|boue Shieburne in Glocestershire, from whence it goeth to Winrush, & cõming by Barrington, Bur|ford, Widbrooke, Swinbecke castell, Witneie, Duc|kington, Cockthorpe, Stanlake, it méeteth with the Isis west by south of Northmore. From hence it go|eth beneath Stanton, Hartingcourt and Ensham, betwéene which and Cassinton, it receiueth (as Le|land calleth it) the Bruerne water.Briwerus.

It riseth aboue Limington, and going to Norton in the Marsh, and through a patch of Worcestershire vnto Euenlode, betweene it and the foure shire|stones,Comus. it taketh in a rill called Come, comming by the long and the little Comptons. After this also it goeth by Bradwell, Odington, and so to Bledden|ton, aboue which towne it taketh in the Rolrich wa|ter that issueth at two heads, in the hils that lie by west of little Rolrich,Rolrich. and ioine aboue Kenkeham, and Church hill. From thence also it goeth vnto Bruerne, Shipton vnderwood, Ascot, Short hamton, Chorleburie, Corneburie parke, Stonfield, Long|combe, and southeast of Woodstocke parke, taketh in the Enis, that riseth aboue Emstone,Euis. and goeth to Ciddington, Glimton, Wotton (where it is increa|sed with a rill that runneth thither from stéeple Barton, by the Béechin trée) Woodstocke, Blaidon, so that after this confluence, the said Enis runneth to Casũnton, and so into the Isis, which goeth from hence to Oxford, and there receiueth the Charwell, now presentlie to be described.

The head of Charwell is in Northamptonshire,Charwell. where it riseth out of a little poole, by Charleton vil|lage, seuen miles aboue Banberie northeast, and there it issueth so fast at the verie surge, that it grow|eth into a pretie streame, in maner out of hand. Soone after also it taketh in a rillet called the Bure,Bure. Culen. which falleth into it, about Otmere side: but foras|much as it riseth by Bincester, the whole course ther|of is not aboue foure miles, and therefore cannot be great. A friend of mine prosecuting the rest of this description reporteth thereof as followeth. Before the Charwell commeth into Oxfordshire, it recei|ueth the Culen, which falleth into the same, a little a|boue Edgcote, and so descending toward Warding|ton, it méeteth with another comming from by north west, betweene Wardington and Cropreadie. At Banberie also it méeteth with the ComeCome. (which fal|leth from fennie Conton by Farneboro, and after|wards going by kings Sutton, not far from Aine, it receiueth the discharge of diuerse rillets, in one bot|tome before it come at Clifton. The said water ther|fore ingendred of so manie brookelets, consisteth chiefelie of two, whereof the most southerlie called Oke,Ocus. commeth from Oke, Norton, by Witchington or Wiggington, and the Berfords; and carieng a few blind rils withall, dooth méet with the other that falleth from by northwest into the same, within a mile of Charwell.

That other (as I coniecture) is increased of thrée waters, wherof each one hath his seuerall name. The first of them therefore hight Tudo,Tudo. which comming betwéene Epwell and the Lée by Toddington, ioi|neth about Broughton with the second that runneth from Horneton, named Ornus, Ornus. as I gesse. The last falleth into the Tude or Tudelake, beneath Brough|ton; and for that it riseth not far from Sotteswell in Warwikeshire, some are of the opinion, that it is to be called Sotbrooke.Sotbrooke. Souarus. The next water that méeteth without Charwell beneath Clifton commeth from about Croughton, and after this is the SowarSowar. or Swere, that riseth north of Michaell Tew, and run|neth by nether Wotton. The last of all is the Reie aliàs Bure,Burus. whose head is not far aboue Burcester, aliàs Bincester, and Burncester: and from whence it goeth by Burecester to Merton, Charleton, Fen|cote, Addington, Noke, Islip, and so into Charwell, that holdeth on his course after this augmentation of the waters, betwéene Wood and Water Eton, to Marston, and the east bridge of Oxford by Mag|dalene college, and so beneath the south bridge into our aforesaid Isis.

In describing this riuer,Middest of England whereabouts. this one thing (right honorable) is come vnto my mind, touching the cen|ter and nauill as it were of England. Certes there is an hillie plot of ground in Helledon parish, not far from Danberie, where a man maie stand and behold the heads of thrée notable riuers, whose waters, and those of such as fall into them, doo abundantlie serue the greatest part of England on this side of the Humber. The first of these waters is the Charwell, alreadie described. The second is the Leme that go|eth westward into the fourth Auon. And the third is the head of the Nene or fift Auon it selfe, of whose courses there is no card but doth make sufficient mention; and therefore your honour maie behold in the same how they doo coast the countrie, and also measure by compasses how this plot lieth in respect of all the rest, contrarie to common iudgement, which maketh Northampton to be the middest and center of our countrie.

But to go forward with my description of the Ouse, which being past Oxford goeth to Iflie, Ken|nington, Sanford, Rodleie, Newnham, and so to A|bington, somtime called Sensham, without increase, where it receiueth the Oche,Ocus. otherwise called the Coche, a little beneath S. Helens, which runneth thi|ther of two brooklets, as I take it, whereof one com|meth from Compton, out of the vale and west of the hill of the White horsse, the other from Kings Let|combe, and Wantage in Barkshire, and in one cha|nell, entreth into the same, vpon the right side of his course.Arun. From Abington likewise (taking the Arun withall southwest of Sutton Courtneie) it goeth by Appleford, long Wittenham, Clifton, Wittenham the lesse, & beneath Dorchester, taketh in the Thame water, from whence the Isis loseth the preheminence of the whole denomination of this riuer, and is con|tented to impart the same with the Thame, so that by the coniunction of these two waters Thamesis is producted, and that name continued euen vnto the sea.

Thame riuer riseth in the easterlie parts of Chil|terne hils,Thame. towards Penleie parke, at a towne called Tring west of the said parke, which is seauen miles from the stone bridge, that is betweene Querendon and Ailsburie (after the course of the water) as Le|land hath set downe. Running therefore by long Merston, and Puttenham, Hucket, and Bearton, it receiueth soone after a rill that commeth by Que|rendon from Hardwike, and yer long an other on the other side that riseth aboue Windouer in the Chilterne, and passing by Halton, Weston, Turrill, Broughton, and Ailsburie, it falleth into the Tame west of the said towne (except my memorie doo faile me. From this confluence the Tame goeth by E|thorpe, the Winchingtons, Coddington, Chersleie, Notleie abbeie: and comming almost to Tame, it receiueth one water from southeast aboue the said towne, and another also from the same quarter be|neath the towne; so that Tame standeth inuironed vpon thrée sides with thrée seuerall waters, as maie be easilie séene. The first of these commeth from the Chiltern east of Below or Bledlow, from whence it goeth to Hinton, Horsenden, Kingseie, Towseie, and so into the Tame. The other descendeth also from the Chilterne, and going by Chinner, Crowell, Sid|denham, and Tame parke, it falleth in the end into Tame water, and then they procéed togither as one by Shabbington, Ricot parke, Dracot, Waterstoke, Milton, Cuddesdon, and Chiselton. Here also it ta|keth in another water from by-east, whose head com|meth from Chilterne hils, not farre from Stocking church, in the waie from Oxford to London. From whence it runneth to Weston (and méeting beneath Cuxham with Watlington rill) it goeth on to Chal|graue, Stadham, and so into the Tame. From hence our streame of Thame runneth to Newen|ton, Draton, Dorchester (sometime a bishops see, and a noble citie) and so into the Thames, which hasteth in like sort to Bensington, Crowmarsh, or Walling|ford, where it receiueth the Blaue, descending from Blaueburg,Blauius. now Blewberie, as I learne.

Thus haue I brought the Thames vnto Wal|lingford, situate in the vale of White horsse that run|neth a long therby. From hence it goeth by Newen|ham, north Stoke, south Stoke, Goring, Bassilden, Pangburne, where it meeteth with a water that commeth from about Hamsted Norris, runneth by Frizelham, Buckelburie, Stanford, Bradfeld, Tid|marsh and Pangburne. After which confluence it go|eth on betweene Mapledorham and Purleie, to Ca|uersham, and Cauersham manour, and a little be|neath receiueth the Kenet that commeth thereinto from Reading.

The Kenet riseth aboue Ouerton 5 or 6 miles west of Marleborow,Cenethus. or Marlingsborow, as some call it; & then going by Fifeld; Clatfor, Maulon, & Preshute, vnto Marleburie: it holdeth on in like order to Ramsburie, and northwest of little Cote, taketh in a water by north descending from the hilles aboue Alburne chase west of Alburne town. Thence it run|neth to little Cote, Charnhamstréet, & beneth Charn|hamstréet it crosseth the Bedwin,Bedwiine. which (taking the ChalkburneChalkeburne. rill withall) commeth from great Bed|wiine, & at Hungerford also two other in one botom somewhat beneath the towne. From hence it goeth to Auington, Kinburie, Hamsted marshall, Eu|burne, Newberie; and beneath this towne, taketh in the Lamburne water that commeth by Isberie,Lamburne. Egerston, the Sheffords, Westford, Boxford, Do|nington castell, and Shaw. From Newberie it go|eth to Thatcham, Wolhampton, Aldermaston, a little aboue which village it receiueth the Alburne,Alburnus. another brooke increased with sundrie rils: and thus going on to Padworth, Oston, and Michaell, it com|meth at last to Reading, where (as I said) it ioineth with the Thames, and so they go forward as one by Sonning to Shiplake, and there on the east side re|ceiue the Loddon that commeth downe thither from the south, as by his course appéereth.

The Loddon riseth in Hamshire betwéene west Shirburne and Wooton toward the southwest,Lod illegible nus. after|ward directing his course toward the northwest, tho|rough the Uine, it passeth at the last by Bramlie, and thorough a peece of Wiltshire, to Stradfield, Swal|lowfield, Arberfield, Loddon bridge, leauing a patch of Wiltshire on the right hand (as I haue béene in|formed.) This Loddon not far from Turges towne receiueth two waters in one bottome, whereof the westerlie called Basing water, commeth from Ba|singstoke, and thorough a parke vnto the aforesaid place.

The other descendeth of two heads from Mapledour well, and goeth by Skewes, Newenham, Rother|wijc, and yer it come at Hartlie, ioineth with the Ba|sing water, from whence they go togither to Tur|ges, where they méet with the Loddon (as I haue said alreadie.) The next streame toward the south is called Ditford brooke.Ditis vadum. It riseth not farre from Up|ton, goeth by Gruell, and beneath Wharnborow castell receiueth the IkellIkelus. (comming from a parke of the same denomination) from whence they go togi|ther by Maddingleie vnto Swalowfield, and so into the Loddon. In this voiage also the Loddon méeteth with the Elwie or Elueie that commeth from Alder|share, not farre by west of Euersleie:Elueius. and about Eluesham likewise with another running from Dogmansfield named the Douke:Ducus. and also the third not inferior to the rest comming from Erin,Erin. whose head is in Surreie, and going by Ash becommeth a limit, first betwéene Surreie and Hamshire; then betwéene Hamshire and Barkeshire, and passing by Ash, Erinleie, Blacke water, Yerleie, and Fin|chamsted; it ioineth at last with the Ditford, before it come at Swalowfield. To conclude therefore with our Loddon, hauing receiued all these waters; and after the last confluence with them now being come to Loddon bridge, it passeth on by a part of Wilt|shire to Twiford bridge, then to Wargraue, and so into the Thames that now is maruellouslie increa|sed and growen vnto triple greatnesse (to that it was at Oxford.)

Being therefore past Shiplake and Wargraue, it runneth by Horsependon, or Harding: then to Henleie vpon Thames, where sometime a great rill voideth it selfe in the same. Then to Remenham, Greneland (going all this waie from Shiplake iust north, and now turning eastwards againe) by Me|denham, Hurleie, Bisham, Marlow the greater, Marlow the lesse, it meeteth with a brooke soone after that consisteth of the water of two rilles, whereof the one called the Use,Us illegible . riseth about west Wickham, out of one of the Chilterne hilles, and goeth from thence to east Wickham or high Wickham, a pre|tie market towne. The other named Higden,Higden. des|cendeth also from those mounteines but a mile be|neath west Wickham, and ioining both in one at the last, in the west end of east Wickham towne, they go togither to Wooburne, Hed illegible or, & so into the Thames. Some call it the Tide; and that word doo I vse in my former treatise: but to procéed. After this confluence our Thames goeth on by Cowkham, Topleie, Mai|denhead, aliàs Sudlington, Braie, Dorneie, Clure, new Windsore (taking in neuerthelesse, at Eaton by the waie, the Burne which riseth out of a Moore, & commeth thither by Burnham) old Windsor, Wrai|borow, and a little by east therof doth crosse the Cole, whereof I find this short description insuing.

The Cole riseth néere vnto Flamsted, Colus, ali illegible s Uere and Uertume. from whence it goeth to Redburn, S. Michaels, S. Albons, Aldenham, Watford, and so by More to Richmans|worth, where there is a confluence of three waters, of which this Cole is the first. The second called GadusGadus. riseth not farre from Ashridge, an house or palace belonging to the prince: from whence it runneth to great Gaddesdin, Hemsted, betwéene Kings Lang|leie, and Abbots Langleie, then to Hunters, and Ca|shew bridges, and so to Richman swoorth, receiuing by the waie a rill comming from Alburie by north|west, to Northchurch, Barkehamsted, and beneath Hemsted ioining with the same. The last commeth in at northwest from aboue Chesham, by Chesham it selfe, then by Chesham Bois, Latimers, Mawd|lens, Cheinies, Sarret and Richmanswoorth, and so going on all in one chanell vnder the name of Cole, it runneth to Uxbridge, where it taketh in the Mis|senden water, from northwest, which rising aboue Missenden the greater goeth by Missenden the lesse, Hagmondesham (now Hammersham) the Uach, Chalfhunt Giles, Chalfhunt S. Peters, Denham, and then into the Cole aboue Uxbridge (as I haue said.) Soone after this our Cole doth part it selfe in|to two branches, neuer to ioine againe before they come at the Thames, for the greater of them goeth thorough the goodlie medows straight to Colebrooke, the other vnto two milles, a mile and a halfe east of Colebrooke, in the waie to London, leauing an I|land betwéene them of no small size and quantitie.

Being past the Cole,Uindeles. we come to the fall of the Uindeles, which riseth by northwest néere vnto Bag|shot, from whence it goeth to Windlesham, Chob|ham, and méeting with a brooklet comming west|ward from Bisleie, they run togither toward Cher|teseie, where when they haue met with a small rill ri|sing north of Sonning hill in Windlesoure great parke, it falleth into the Thames on the northeast side of Cherteseie. When we were come beyond this water, it was not long yer we came vnto another on the same side, that fell into the Thames betweene Shepperton on the one side, and Oteland on the o|ther,Ueius. and is called the Waie. The Weie or the Waie rising by west, commeth from Olsted, & soone after taking the Hedleie brooke withall (which riseth in Wulmere forrest, and goeth by Hedleie and Fren|sham) hasteth by Bentleie, Farnham, Alton, Wai|berleie, Elsted,Thuresbie. and so to Pepper harrow, where it ioineth with the Thuresbie water, which commeth not farre off from a village of the same denominati|on. From hence also it goeth to Godalming, and then toward Shawford, but yer it come there, it cros|seth Craulie becke, which rising somewhere about the edge of Sussex short of Ridgewtjc, goeth by Uache|rie parke,Crawleie. Knoll, Craulie, Bramleie, Wonarsh, and so into the Waie. From hence then our riuer goeth to Shawford, and soone after (méeting with the Ab|binger water that commeth by Shere, Albirie,Abbinger. and the chappell on the hill) it proceedeth to Guldeford, thence to Stoke, Sutton in the parke, Send, Wo|king, and at Newarke parke side taketh in a brooke that riseth of two heads, whereof one dooth spring be|twéene two hils north of Pepper harrow, and so run|neth through Henleie parke, the other aboue Pur|bright, and afterward ioining in one, they go foorth vnto Newarke, and being there vnited, after the con|fluence it goeth to Purford court, to Bifler, Wai|fred, Oteland, and so into the Thames.

From Oteland the Thames goeth by Walton, Sunburie,Molis. west Moulse illegible e, Hampton, and yer it come at Hampton court on the northside, and east Moulseie on the other, it taketh in the Moule water, which giueth name vnto the two townes that stand on each side of the place, where it falleth into our streame. It riseth in Word forrest, and going by Burstow, it méeteth afterward with another gullet, conteining a small course from two seuerall heads, whereof one is also in the forrest aforenamed, the o|ther runneth from Bebush wood, and comming by Iseld, méeteth with the first aboue Horleie, and so run on in one chanell, I saie, till they ioine with the Moule water, whereof I spake before.

After this confluence in like sort, it is not long yer the Moule take in another from by north, which commeth from about Mesham on the one side, and another on the other side, running by Ocleie and Capell, and whereinto also a branch or rill com|meth from a wood on the northwest part. Finallie, being thus increased with these manie rilles, it go|eth by east Becheworth, west Becheworth, and ouer against the Swalow on the side of Drake hill, ta|king in another that cõmeth thither from Wootton by Darking and Milton, it runneth to Mickleham, Letherhed, Stoke, Cobham, Ashire parke, east Moulseie, and so into the Thames, which after this coniunction goeth on to Kingston, and there also méeteth with another becke, rising at Ewell south of Nonsuch. Certes, this rill goeth from Ewell by the old parke, then to Mauldon, & so to Kingston towne. The Thames in like maner being past Kingston, go|eth to Tuddington, Petersham, Twickenham, Richmond, and Shene, where it receiueth a water on the northwest side, which comming from about Har|row on the hill, and by west of the same, goeth by Haies, Harlington, Felthan, and Thistle worth into the Thames.

The next fall of water is at Sion,Brane. néere vnto new Brainford, so that it issueth into the Thames betwéen them both. This water is called Brane, that is in the Brittish toong (as Leland saith) a frog. It riseth about Edgeworth, and commeth from thence by Kinges|burie, Twiford, Periuall, Hanwell, and Austerleie. Thence we followed our riuer to old Brentford, Mortlach, Cheswtjc, Barnelmes, Fulham, and Put|neie, beneath which townes it crossed a becke from Wandlesworth, that riseth at Woodmans turne, and going by Easthalton, méeteth another comming from Croidon by Bedington, and so going on to Mitcham, Marton abbeie, and Wandlesworth, it is not long yer it fall into the Thames.Mariburne. Next vnto this is Mariburne rill on the other side, which commeth in by S. Iames, so that by this time we haue either brought the Thames, or the Thames conueied vs to London, where we rested for a season to take view of the seuerall tides there, of which each one differeth from other, by foure & twentie minuts, that is fortie eight in a whole daie, as I haue noted before, except the wether alter them. Being past London, and in the waie toward the sea: the first water that it mée|teth withall, is the Brome on Kent side, west of Gréenewich, whose head is Bromis in Bromleie pa|rish, and going from thence to Lewsham,Bromis. it taketh in a water from by east, and so directeth his course foorth right vnto the Thames.

The next water that it méeteth withall, is on Es|sex side, almost against Woolwich, and that is the LéeLée. or Luie, whose head riseth short of Kempton in Hert|fordshire,Logus. foure miles southeast of Luton, sometime called Logodunum or Logrodunum, & going through a péece of Brokehall parke (leauing Woodhall parke on the north, and Hatfield on the south, with another parke adioining) it goeth toward Hartford towne. But yer it come there, it receiueth a water (perad|uenture the Marran) rising at northwest in Brode|water hundred,Marran. from aboue Welwin, northeast of Digeswell, and going to Hartingfeld burie, where the said confluence is within one mile of the towne. Beneath Hatfield also it receiueth the Beane (as I gesse) comming from Boxwood by Benington,Beane. A|ston, Watton, and Stapleford, and a little lower, the third arme of increase from aboue Ware, which des|cendeth from two heads: whereof the greatest com|meth from Barkewaie in Edwinster hundred, the other Sandon in Oddesey hundred, and after they be met beneath little Hornemeade, they go togither by Pulcherchurch, or Puckrich, Stonden, Thunderidge Wadesmill, Benghoo, and so into the Lée, which from hence runneth on till it come at Ware, which was drowned by the rage of the same 1408, and so to Am|well, where on the north side it receiueth the water that commeth from little Hadham, through a péece of Singleshall parke, then by great Hadham, and so from Widford to the aforesaid towne. From hence also they go as one to old Stansted called Le Veil, branching in such wise yer it come there, that it run|neth through the towne in sundrie places. Thence it goeth foorth to Abbats Stansted, beneath which it méeteth with the Stoure, west (as I remember) of Roidon.Sturus. This Sture riseth at Wenden lootes, from whence it goeth to Langleie, Clauering, Berden, Manhuden, & Birchanger (where it taketh a rill com|ming from Elsingham, & Stansted Mountfitchet.) The illegible it hieth on to Bishops Stourford, Sabrich|foord, and beneath this towne crosseth with another from the east side of Elsingham, that goeth to Hat|field, Brodocke, Shiring, Harlo, & so into the Stoure, and from whence they go togither to Eastwic, Par illegible edon, and next into the Lée. These things be|ing thus performed, the Lée runneth on beneath Hoddesdon, Broxburne, and Wormleie, where a wa|ter breaketh out by west of the maine streame, a mile lower than Wormeleie it selfe, but yet within the paroch, and is called Wormeleie locke.

It runneth also by Cheston nunrie, and out of this a little beneath the said house, breaketh an arme called the Shirelake, bicause it diuideth Eastsex and Hartford shire in sunder, and in the length of one medow called Fritheie. This lake runneth not but at great flouds, and méeteth againe with a succor of ditchwater, at a place called Hockesdich, halfe a mile from his first breaking out, and halfe a mile lower at Marsh point ioineth againe with the streame from whence it came before. Thence commeth the first arme to S. Maulie bridge (the first bridge westward vpon that riuer) vpon Waltham causie, & halfe a mile lower than Maulie bridge, at the corner of Ramnie mead, it méeteth with the kings streame & principall course, of Luy, or Lee, as it is commonlie called. The second arme breaketh out of the kings streame at Halifield halfe a mile lower than Cheston nunrie, and so to the fulling mill, and two bridges by west of the kings streame, wherinto it falleth about a stones cast lower at a place called Malkins shelffe, except I was wrong informed. Cheston & Hartfordshire men doo saie, that the kings streame at Waltham dooth part Hartfordshire and Essex, but the Essex men by forrest charter doo plead their liberties to hold vnto S. Maulies bridge. On the east side also of the kings streame breaketh out but one principall arme at Ha|lifield, three quarters of a mile aboue Waltham, & so goeth to the corne mill in Waltham, and then to the K. streame againe a little beneath the kings bridge.

From hence the Lée runneth on by south on Wal|tonstow till it come to Stretford Langthorne,Alfred. where it brancheth partlie of it selfe, and partlie by mans industrie for mils. Howbeit heerein the dealing of Alfred (sometimes king of England) was not of smallest force, who vnderstanding the Danes to be gotten vp with their ships into the countrie, there to kill and slaie his subiects, in the yeere of grace 896, by the conduct of this riuer: he in the meane time be|fore they could returne, did so mightilie weaken the maine chanell, by drawing great numbers of tren|ches from the same; that when they purposed to come backe, there was nothing so much water left as the ships did draw: wherefore being set on ground, they were soone fired, & the aduersaries ouercome. By this policie also much medow ground was woone, & made firme land, whereby the countrie about was not a lit|tle inriched, as was also a part of Assyria by the like practise of Cyrus with the Ganges, at such time as he came against Babylon, which riuer before time was in maner equall with Euphrates. For he was so of|fended, that one of his knights whom he loued déerlie, was drowned and borne awaie with the water in his passage ouer the same, that he sware a deepe oth yer long to make it so shallow that it should not wet a woman to the knées. Which came to passe, for he cau|sed all his armie to dig 46 new draines frõ the same, wherby the vow that he had made was at the full per|formed. Senec. de Tra. li. 3. But to conclude with the Lee that somtime ouerflowed all those medowes, through which it passeth (as for a great waie not inferior to the Thames) and I find that being past Westham, it is not long yer it fall into that streame. One thing I read more of this riuer before the conquest, that is, how Edward the first, & sonne of Alfred, in the yeare of grace 912, builded Hartford towne: at which time also he had Wittham a towne in Essex in hand, as his sister called Aelfled repaired Oxford & London, and all this foure yeares before the building of Mal|don, of some called Hertford or Herudford betweene three waters, that is, the Lée, the Benefuth, and Memmarran, or rather Penmarran: but how these waters are distinguished in these daies, as yet I cannot tell. It is possible, that the Bene may be the same which commeth by Benington, and Benghoo: which if it be so, then must the Memmarran be the same that descendeth from Whitwell, for not farre from thence is Branfield, which might in time past right well be called Marranfield, for of like inuersi|on of names I could shew manie examples.

Being past the Lee (whose chanell is begun to be purged 1576, with further hope to bring the same toRodon or Rodunus. the north side of London) we come vnto the Rodon, vpon Essex side in like maner, and not verie farre (for foure miles is the most) from the fall of the Lée. This water riseth at little Canfield, from whence it goeth to great Canfield, high Roding, Eithorpe Ro|ding, Ledon Roding, White Roding, Beauchampe Roding, Fifeld, Shelleie, high Ongar, and Cheping Ongar, where the Lauer falleth into it,Lauer. that ariseth betwixt Matching and high Lauer; and taking ano|ther rill withall comming from aboue Northweld at Cheping Ongar, they ioine (I saie) with the Ro|don, after which confluence Leland coniectureth that the streame is called Iuell:Iuelus. for my part, I wot not what to say of it. But héerof I am sure, that the whole course being past Ongar, it goeth to Stansted riuers, Theidon mount, Heibridge, Chigwell, Woodford bridge, Ilford bridge, Barking, & so into the Thames.

The DarwentDarwent. méeteth with our said Thames vp|on Kents side, two miles and more beneath Erith. It riseth at Tanridge, or there abouts, as I haue beene informed by Christopher Saxtons card late made of the same, and the like (I hope) he will doo in all the se|uerall shires of England at the infinit charges of sir Thomas Sackford knight, & maister of the requests, whose zeale vnto his countrie héerin I cannot but re|member, & so much the rather, for that he meaneth to imitate Ortelius, & somewhat beside this hath holpen me in the names of the townes, by which these riuers for the Kentish part do run. Would to God his plats were once finished for the rest! But to procéed. The Darwent therefore, rising at Tanridge, goeth on by Titseie toward Brasted, and receiuing on ech side of that towne (& seuerall bankes) a riuer or rill, it goeth on to Nockhold, Shorham, Kinsford, Horton, Darn|hith, Dartford or Derwentford, & there taking in the Craie on the left hand that coms from Orpington byCraie. Marie Craie, Paules Craie, North Craie, and Craiford, it is not long yer it fall into the Thames. But after I had once passed the fall of the brooke, it is a world to sée what plentie of Serephium groweth vpon the Kentish shore, in whose description Fuich|fius hath not a little halted; whilest he giueth foorth the hearbe Argentaria for Serephium, betwéene which there is no maner of likelihood. This neuerthe|lesse is notable in the said hearbe, that being transla|ted into the garden, it receiueth another forme cleane different from the first, which it yéelded when it grew vpon the shore, and therevnto appeareth of more fat & foggie substance. Which maketh me to thinke that our physicians do take it for a distinct kind of worme|wood, whereof controuersie ariseth among them. The next water that falleth into the Thames, is west of the Wauie Iles, a rill of no great fame, neither long course, for rising about Coringham, it runneth not manie miles east and by south, yer it fall into the mouth of this riuer, which I doo now describe.

I would haue spoken of one créeke that commeth in at Cliffe, and another that runneth downe from Haltsto by S. Maries: but sith I vnderstand not with what backewaters they be serued, I let them passe as not skilfull of their courses. And thus much of the riuers that fall into the Thames, wherein I haue doone what I maie, but not what I would for mine owne satisfaction, till I came from the head to Lechlade, vnto which, as in lieu of a farewell, I will ascribe that distichon which Apollonius Rhodius wri|teth of the Thermodon: Huic non est aliud flumen par, nec tot in agros Vllum dimittit riuos quot fundit vtrinque.

Next vnto the Thames we haue the Midwaie water,Midwaie. whereof I find two descriptions, the first be|ginneth thus. The Midwaie water is called in La|tine Medeuia (as some write) bicause the course ther|of is midwaie in a manner betwéene London and Dorobernia, or (as we now call it) Canturburie. In British it hight Dourbrée: and thereof Rochester was sometime called Durobreuum. But in an old charter which I haue seene (conteining a donation sometime made to the monasterie of saint Andrews there by Ceadwalla) I find that the Saxons called this riuer Wedring; and also a towne standing be|twéene Malling and east Farleie, Wedrington; and finallie, a forrest also of the same denomination, Wedrington, now Waterdon, wherby the originall name appeareth to be fetched from this streame. It ariseth in Waterdon forrest east of Whetlin or We|dring, and ioineth with another brooke that descen|deth from Ward forrest in Sussex: and after this confluence they go on togither, as one by Ashhirst, where hauing receiued also the second brooke, it hast|eth to Pensherst, and there carrieth withall the E|den, that commeth from Lingfield parke. After this it goeth to the southeast part of Kent, and taketh with it the Frith or Firth, on the northwest side,Frethus. and an other little streame that commeth from the hilles, betwéene Peuenburie and Horsemon on the south|east. From thence also, and not farre from Yalling it receiueth the Theise (a pretie streame that ariseth about Theise Hirst) & afterward the Gran or Crane,Theise. Grane aliàs Cranus. which hauing his head not farre from Cranbrooke, and méeting with sundrie other riuelets by the waie, whereof one branch of Theise is the last, for it parteth at the Twist, and including a pretie Iland, doth ioine with the said Midwaie, a little aboue Yal|ding, and then with the Lowse. Finallie at Maid|stone it méeteth with another brooke, whose name I know not, and then passeth by Allington, Duton, Newhide, Halling, Cuckestane, Rochester, Chat|tham, Gillingham, Upchurch, Kingsferrie, and fal|leth into the maine sea betwéene Shepeie and the Grane.

And thus much out of the first authour, who com|mendeth it also, for that in time past it did yéeld such plentie of sturgeon, as beside the kings portion, and a due vnto the archbishop of Canturburie out of the same, the deane and chapter of Rochester had no small allowance also of that commoditie: likewise for the shrimps that are taken therein, which are no lesse estéemed of in their kind, than the westerne smelts or flounders taken in the Thames, &c. The second authour describeth it after this manner, and more copiouslie than the other.

The cheefe head of this streame riseth in Water|don forrest, from whence after it hath runne a pretie waie still within the same, east of Whetlin, it méeteth with a brooke, whose head is in Ward forrest, south|west of Greenested, which goeth to Hartfield, and so to Whetlin, and yer long ioineth with the Midwaie. After this confluence it is not long yer it take in an|other by-west from Cowden ward, and the third a|boue Pensherst, growing from two heads, whereof one is in Lingfield parke, the other west of Craw|herst; and ioining aboue Edinbridge, it doth fall in|to the midwaie beneath Heuer towne, and Chidding|ston. From Pensherst our maine streame hasteth to Ligh, Tunbridge, and Twidleie, and beneath the towne, it crosseth a water from North, whereof one head is at the Mote, another at Wreteham, the third at west Peckham, & likewise another from southest, that runneth east of Capell. Next after this it recei|ueth the These, whose forked head is at Theise Hirst, which descending downe toward the north, taketh in not farre from Scotnie a brooke out of the northside of Waterden forrest, whose name I find not, except it be the Dour. After this confluence our riuer go|eth to Goldhirst, and comming to the Twist, it brancheth in such wise, that one part of it runneth into Midwaie, another into the Garan, or rather Cranebrooke (if my coniecture be anie thing.) The Garan (as Leland calleth it) or the Crane (as I dooGarunus, Cranus. take it) riseth néere to Cranebrooke, and going by Sissinghir illegible t, it receiueth yer long one water that commeth by Fretingdon, and another that runneth from great Chard by Smerdon, and Hedcorne, cros|sing two rilles by the waie from by north, Hedcorne it selfe standing betwéene them both. Finallie, the Garan or Crane meeting with Midwaie south of Yalling, they on the one side, and the These on the other, leaue a pretie Iland in the middest, of foure miles in length, and two in breadth, wherein is some hillie soile, but neither towne nor village, so farre as I remember.

From Yalling forward, the Midwaie go|eth to west Farlegh, east Farlegh: and yer it come at Maidstone, it interteineth a rill that riseth short of Ienham, and goeth by Ledes and Otteringden, which is verie beneficiall to clothiers in drie yéeres: for thither they conueie their clothes to be thicked at the fulling milles, sometimes ten miles for the same: there is also at Ledes great plentie of fulling earth, which is a necessarie commoditie.

Being past Maidstone, it runneth by Allington, Snodland, Halling, Cuckstane, and Rochester, where it passeth vnder a faire bridge of stone, with a verie swift course, which bridge was begun 1388 by the lord Iohn Cobham, the ladie Margaret his wife, and the valiant sir Robert Knolles, who gaue the first on|set vpon that péece of worke, and therevnto builded a chappell of the Trinitie at the end therof, in testimo|nie of his pietie. In processe of time also one Iohn Warner of Rochester made the new coping there|of; and archbishop Warham of Canturburie the iron barres: the bishops also of that see were not slacke in their beneuolence and furtherances toward that worke, especiallie Walter Merton founder of Merton college in Oxford, who by misfortune perish|ed by falling from the same, as he rode to surueie the workemen. Being past Rochester, this noble riuer goeth to Chatham, Gillingham, Upchurin, and soone after branching, it imbraceth the Greene at his fall, as his two heads doo Ashdon forrest, that lieth be|twéene them both.

_THe Sauerne which Ptolomie calleth Sabriana, Sauerne. Tacitus Sa|brina, diuideth England or that part of the Iland, which sometime was called Lhoe|gres from Cambria, so called of Camber, the second sonne of Brute, as our histories doo report. But now that region hight Wales, of the Germane word Walsh, whereby that nation dooth vse to call all strangers without respect of countrie. This riuer tooke the name of a certeine ladie, called Habren or Hafren, base daughter to Locrinus be|gotten vpon Estrildis daughter to Humber other|wise called Cumbrus or Umar, and for which some write Chonibrus king of Scithia, that sometime in|uaded this Island, and was ouerthrowne here in the daies of this Locrinus, as shall be shewed at hand: although I suppose rather that this ladie was called Ine, and that the word Sabrina is compounded of Aber and Ine, and the letter S added Propter euphoni|am: for the mouth or fall of euerie riuer in the British spéech is called Aber, whereby Aber Ine is so much to saie as, the fall of Ine. But let vs returne againe to our discourse of Humber or Umar, which is worthie to be remembred.

For after the death of Locrinus, it came to passe that Guendolena his wife ruled the kingdome in the nonage of hir sonne: and then getting the said Estrildis and Habren hir daughter into hir hands, she drowned them both in this riuer. And in perpetu|all remembrance of hir husbands disloialtie towards hir, she caused the streame to be called Habren of the yoong ladie, for which the Romans in processe of time for readinesse and mildnesse of pronunciation, wrote Sabrina, and we at this time doo pronounce the Sa|uerne. Of the drowning of the said Abren also I find these verses insuing: In fluuium praecipitatur Abren, Nomen Abren, fluuio de virgine, nomeneidem Nomine corrupto deinde Sabrina datur.

But to returne to our Sauerne. It falleth into the maine sea betwéene Wales and Cornewall, which is and shall be called the Sauerne sea, so long as the riuer dooth keepe hir name. But as the said streame in length of course, bountie of water, and depth of chanell commeth farre behind the Thames: so for o|ther commodities, as trade of merchandize, plentie of cariage, & store of all kind of fish, as salmon, trouts, breames, pikerell, tench, perch, &c: it is nothing at all inferiour or second to the same. Finallie, there is no|thing to be discommended in this riuer, but the o|pennesse thereof in manie places to the weather, whereby sundrie perils oft ouertake such as fish or saile in small vessels on the same.

The head of this noble streame is found in the high mounteines of south Wales called Helennith or Plim limmon; in English, the blacke mounteins, or moore heads, from whence also the Wie and the Rhidoll do procéed: and therefore these thrée waters are commonlie called the thrée sisters, and haue in la|titude two and fiftie degrees ten minutes, in lon|gitude fiftéene and fiftie, as the description inferreth. So soone as it is out of the ground, it goeth southeast|ward, till it come within a mile of Laundlos, where it receiueth a chanell from by south southwest, called the Dulas, which commeth thereinto on the south side, & southwest of Lan Idlos. It riseth (as it should séeme) of diuerse heads in the edge of Radnorshire, and taking in sundrie small rilles, it meeteth at the last with the Brueham brooke,Brucham. and so they go to|gither till they fall into the Sauerne. Beneath Lan Idlos it taketh in the Clewdogh from northwest,Clewdogh. a water producted by the influence of foure pretie brookes, whereof one is called Bacho,Bacho. another Dun|gumDungum.. comming out of lin Glaslin, the third LhoidLhoid. ri|sing in lin Begilin, and the most southerlie called Bigga.Bigga. After which confluence our Sauerne procée|deth on by Berhlaid toward Landiman, taking in by the waie, on the east side the Couine,Couine. thence to Cairfuse castell, where it meeteth with the Carnon,Carnon. and the TaranTaran. both in one chanell, and going not far from the aforesaid fortresse. After this it crosseth the HawesHawes. on the north halfe beneath Abcerhawes, next of all the DulesseDulesse. 2. that riseth in the edge of Radnor shire, and méeteth with it before it come at Newton in Powisie, otherwise called Trenewith, as I find in British language. Being come to Trenewith, I cannot eschue (right honorable) to giue one note, as by the waie, touching the originall of my ladie your bed|fellowes ancestrie, which came from hence, & were surnamed Newtons onelie, for that the grandfather of sir Iohn Newton either dwelled or was borne there: otherwise the right name is Caradoc, for which some doo corruptlie write Cradocke, respecting rather the shortnesse of pronuntiation, than the true orthographie and writing of the word. Certes the Ca|radockes haue béene, and yet are a linage of great honor, antiquitie, and seruice; their lands also some|time belonged (for the most part) to the noble Gon|noanies of Summersetshire: but in what order they descended to the Newtons, in good sooth I cannot tell. But to procéed with our riuer, which being past New|ton, runneth foorth by Landilouarne, and so foorth on till it come to the fall of the Mule, whose head is in the edge of Radnor also,Mule. and thereto his passage by Kerie and Lanmereiwtjc. After this also it procée|deth further till it meet with the KenletLenlet. or the Cama|let,Camalet. which taketh in also the TateTate. or Tadbrooke water rising out of the hilles a mile from Bishops towne, the whole course thereof being about seauen miles from the head (as I haue often heard.) Of this also I find two descriptions, whereof one I borrow out of Leland, who saith that it is a pretie brooke, running in the vale by Mountgomerie, and comming within halfe a mile of the place where Chirbirie priorie stood, it falleth into the Sauerne about a mile from thence. Of the rilles (saith he) that run from the hilles tho|rough Mountgomerie, which are a mile from the Sauerne shore,Lan Idlos. and likewise of the Lan Idlos brooke that méeteth withall within foure miles of the head, I speake not, but thinke it sufficient to touch those of some estimation, onelie leauing the rest to such as maie hereafter deale with things more particularlie as time and trauell maie reueale the truth to them. And hitherto Leland, whose words I dare not alter. But another noteth this Camalet or Kenlet to run by More, Liddiom, Sned, Churchstocke, Chirbirie, Walcote, and Winsbirie, and so into the Sauerne.

From hence then, and after this confluence it go|eth on by Fordon, Leighton, and Landbreuie to|ward Meluerleie, and there it méeteth with sundrie waters in one chanell,Tanet. Peuereie or Murnewie. whereof the one called the Ta|net is a verie pretie water (whereinto the Peuereie or Murneweie doth fall, which descendeth from the hilles by west of Matrafall not farre from Lhan Fi|lin) the other Auerneie,Auernie. and ioining beneath Abertan|noth, or aboue Lannamonach neere vnto the ditch of Offa,Mordant. it is not long yer they méet with the Mordant brooke, and there loose their names so soone as they ioine and mix their waters with it. The head of the Mordant issueth out of the Lanuerdan hilles, where diuerse saie, that the parish church of crosse Oswald or Oswester sometimes stood. Certes, Oswester is thirtéene miles northwest from Shrewesburie, and conteineth a mile within the walles. It hath in like sort foure suburbs or great stréetes, of which one is called Stratlan, another Wuliho, the third Bete|rich, wherein are one hundred and fortie barns stand|ing on a row belonging to the citizens or burgesses, and the fourth named the Blackegate stréet, in which are thirtie barns mainteined for corne & haie. There is also a brooke running thorough the towne by the crosse, comming from Simons well, a bow shoote without the wall;Simons becke. & going vnder the same betweene Thorowgate & Newgate, running vnder the Blacke gate. There is another, ouer whose course the Bade|rikes or Bederich gate standeth, and therefore called Bederich brooke.Bederich. The third passeth by the Willigate or Newgate, & these fall all togither with the Crosse brooke, a mile lower by south into the Mordant that runneth (as I said) by Oswester. From hence also it goeth to Mordant towne, and betwéene Landbre|uie and Meluerleie doth fall into the Sauerne. After this our principall streame goeth to Sheauerdon ca|stell, Mountford, and Bicton chappell: and here it re|ceiueth a water on the left hand, that riseth of two heads, whereof one is aboue Merton, the other at El|lismere, and ioining betweene Woodhouses & Bag|leie, the confluence runneth on by Radnall, Halton, T illegible ddesmer, Roiton, Baschurch, Walford, Grafton, Mitton, and so into the Sauerne. From hence it runneth to Fitz, Eton, or Leiton, Barwtjc, vpper Rossall, Shelton, and so to Shrewsburie, where it cros|seth the Mele water, whose head (as I heare) is said to be in Weston.

The Mele therefore rising at Weston,Mele. goeth by Brocton, Worthen, Aston Pigot, Westleie, After|leie,Haberleie. and at Lea it méeteth with the Haberleie water that commeth downe by Pontesford and Aunston. After this confluence also it runneth to Newenham & Crokemele, there taking in a rill on the other side that descendeth by Westburie and Stretton, & thence going on to Hanwood, Noball, Pulleie, Bracemele, and Shrewesburie, it falleth (as I said) into the open Sauerne. From hence our Sauerne hasteth to Uf|fington, Preston, and betwéene Chilton and Bramp|ton taketh in the Terne, a faire streame and worthie to be well handled; if it laie in me to performe it. This riuer riseth in a mere beside Welbridge parke, néere vnto Ternemere village in Staffordshire. From whence it runneth by the parkes side to Knighton, Norton, Betton, and at Draiton Hales crosseth with a water comming from about Adbaston (where maister Brodocke dwelleth) and runneth by Chip|penham and Amming:Terne. so that the Terne on the one side, and this brooke on the other, doo inclose a great part ofSée Hen. 6. pag. 649. Blore heath, where a noble battell was som|time purposed betwéene king Henrie the sixt, and the duke of Yorke: but it wanted execution.

But to procéed. After this confluence, it runneth to Draiton Hales, Ternehill bridge: and yer long taking in a rill from Sandford by Blechleie, it goeth to Stoke Allerton, Peplaw, and Eaton, where it crosseth with a brooke that riseth about Brinton, and going by Higham, Morton, the great Mere, Forton, Pilson, Pickstocke, Keinton, Tibberton, and Bo|las, it ioineth with the said Terne not farre from Water Upton. Thence passing to Crogenton, it méeteth with another brooke that commeth from Chaltwen Aston, by Newport, Longford, Aldneie, and so through the Wilde moore to Kinsleie & Sléepe, and finallie into the Terne, which hasteth from thence to Eston bridge, and néere vnto Walcote taketh in the Roden. This water riseth at Halton in Cumber|mere lake:Roden. and comming to Ouenleie, crosseth a rill from Cowlemere by Leniall. Thence it goeth to Horton, and (ioining with another rill beneath Non|laie that commeth from Midle) runneth on to Wen, Aston, there crossing a rill beneath Lacon hall from Prées ward, and so to Lée, Befford, Stanton, Mor|ton Shabrée, Painton, Roden, Rodington, and then into Terne, that runneth from thence by Charlton, Upton, Norton, Barwijc, Acham, and so into the Sauerne two miles beneath Shrewesburie (as I wéene.)

Thus haue I described the Terne in such wise as my simple skill is able to performe. Now it resteth that I proceed on (as I maie) with the Sauerne streame, with which, after this former confluence, it goeth vnto Roxater or Roxcester, Brampton, Eaton vpon Sauerne,Euerne. Draiton, where it ioineth with the E|uerne that runneth from Frodesleieward by Withi|all and Pitchford, Cresfedge, Garneston, Leighton, and betwéene the two Bildasses crosseth the Rhe or Wenlocke water,Wenlocke or Rhe. and so goeth on to Browsleie and Hoord parke, where it vniteth it selfe with another brooke to be described in this place, whilest the Sa|uerne rests, and recreates it selfe here among the ple|sant bottoms.

This water ariseth aboue Tongcastell, and yer it haue run anie great distance from the head, it mée|teth with a rill comming by Sheriffe Hales, and Staunton. Thence it goeth on to Hatton, Roi|ton, and there crossing another from Woodhou|ses, comming by Haughton and Euelin, it pro|céedeth to Beckebirie and Higford, and not omitting here to crosse the WorfeWorfe. (sometime a great streame that runneth vnto it out of Snowdon poole) and so passeth foorth to Badger, Acleton, Worffield: a litle from whence (about Wickin) it taketh in another brooke into it called Churle, & so goeth on to Rindle|ford, and then into Sauerne somwhat aboue Bridge|north at Penston mill (except mine information de|ceiue me.) From Bridgenorth our Sauerne des|cendeth to Woodburie, Ouatford, and there taking in the Marbrooke beneath Eaton that riseth aboue Collaton,Marbrooke. and goeth by Moruill & Underton, it run|neth by Didmanston, Hempton, Aueleie, & beneath in the waie to Bargate, crosseth with a brooke com|ming from Upton parke, by Chetton, Billingsleie, and Highleie, which being admitted, it holdeth on to Areleie,Dowlesse. Ciarnewood parke, Hawbach and Dowlesse. Here also it méeteth with the Dowlesse water, a pre|tie brooke issuing out of the Cle hilles in Shropshire, verie high to looke vpon, and thrée miles or therea|bouts from Ludlow, which runneth through Clebirie parke in Wire forrest,Lempe. & taking withall the Lempe, dooth fall into the Sauerne not far from Bewdleie.

But to procéed. From Bewdleie our Sauerne ha|steth directlie to Ribford, Areleie and Redston, and here it meeteth with a water called Stoure, descen|ding from Elie,Stoure. or out of the ponds of Hales Owen in Worcestershire, where it receiueth a rill from the left hand, and another from the right, and then goeth on to Sturbridge (taking in there the third water yer long running from Sturton castell) then to Kni|uer Whittenton, Ouerleie and Kidormister, aboue which it crosseth one brookelet that commeth thither by Church hill, and another beneath it that runneth by Belborow, betwixt which two waters lieth an od peece of Staffordshire included, and also the Cle hill. From hence the aforesaid Sauerne hasteth by Redston to Shrawleie; and aboue this towne recei|ueth the Astleie water,Astleie. as beneath the same it dooth another. From Witleie then it goeth on to Holt castell, and so to Grimleie, taking in thereabout with the Doure,Doure. Sulwaie. and Sulwaie waters, whereof this riseth at Chadswijc, and runneth by Stoke priorie, & Droit|wich, the other aboue Chaddesleie, and commeth by Dourdale. After this it goeth foorth vnto Worcester, in old time called Cair Brangon, or Cair Frangon, where it méeteth with the Tiber, or Tiberton water,Tiber. on the right hand aboue that citie, and beneth it neere vnto Powijc with the Temde, whose description shall be set downe before I procéed or go anie further with the Sauerne.

The Temde, or (as some name it) the Tame ri|seth vp in Radnorshire, out of the Melenith hilles,Temde. and soone after his issue, méeting with a water from Wi|thall, it runneth to Begeldie, Lanuerwaterden, and so to Knighton, which is fiue or six miles (as I heare) from his originall. From Knighton it goeth ouer the ditch of Offa vnto Standish,Clude. and crossing a rill that commeth from betwéene the parke named Clude, (and is a bound of Radnorshire) it goeth to Buckton, Walford, and Lanuarden, where it meeteth with the Bardwell or Berfield, and the Clun, both in one cha|nell, of which I find these descriptions here folowing word for word in Leland. The Bardwell or Bar|field riseth aboue New Chappell, in the honour of Clun,Barfield Clun. hard by the ditch of Offa, and goeth by Buck|nell. The Clun issueth out of the ground betwéene Lhan Uehan and Maiston, and going on by Bucton, Cluncastell, Clundon, Purslaw, and Clunbirie, it crosseth with a brooke that runneth along by Kemp|ton and Brampton. Thence going foorth by Clunbi|rie, Brome, Abcot and Marlow, it méeteth with the Bardwell, and so in the Temde, not verie far from Temderton. I suppose that Leland calleth the Bard|well by the name of Owke,Owke. but I will not abide by it bicause I am not sure of it. After these confluen|ces therefore, our Temde goeth by Trippleton, Dounton, Burrington, and Broomefield, where it méeteth with the Oneie, which is an indifferent streame,Oneie. and increased with sundrie waters, where|of I saie as followeth.

The first of all is called the Bow.Bow. It riseth (as I learne) in the hilles betwéene Hissingten and Shelue, and from thence commeth downe by Lindleie and Hardwtjc,Warren. where it crosseth the Warren that issueth out of the ground about Rotlie chappell, and runneth by Adston and Wentnor. After the confluence also going on by Choulton and Cheinies, it taketh in the Queneie and Strabroke both in one chanell,Queneie and Strabroke. wherof the first riseth at Lebo illegible wood, and commeth downe by the Strettons, till it passe by Fellanton. The se|cond mounteth about Longuill, and goeth by Rush|burie, Newhall, Harton, and Alcaster, from whence it is not long yer it fall into the Queneie, and so by Stratford into the Oneie, which hath borne that name since the confluence of the Bow and War|ren at Hardwtjc, whereof I spake before. Finallie, the Oneie which some call the Somergill being thus increased,Somergill. it runneth on to Hawford chappell, O|neibirie, Broomefield, and so into Temde, and next of all to Ludlow.Corue. The Temde being thus brought to Ludlow, méeteth with the Corue, which commeth tho|rough Coruedale from aboue Brocton by More|houses, Shipton, Hungerford, and a little beneath ta|king in a rill that commeth by Tugford, and Bren|cost castell, goeth on to Corsham castell, and there crossing another from saint Margarets Clée, it hi|eth to Stanton Lacie, and so likewise to Ludlow.

From Ludlow in like sort it goeth to Ludford, the Ashfordes, little Hereford, Burrington, and at Burfford vniteth it selfe with the Ladwich that com|meth beneath Milburne stoke,Ladwich. from betweene Browne, Cleehill, and Stittertons hill, to Middle|ton, Henleie, Ladwich, Conam, and so into Temde, which beneath Temdbirie receiueth another rill on the other side, and the second on the left hand called Rhe,Rhe. that commeth from aboue Ricton, Staterton, Hound, Nene, Clebirie, Knighton, and then into the Temde. From hence the Temde doeth goe by Astham, Lingridge, Shelleie Welch, Clifton, Whit|burne (and crossing a water that commeth from the Sapies) to Knightwtjc and Bradwaies. Hereabout againe it interteineth a rill that descendeth from a|bout Kidburie on the right hand, and goeth by Collo|matherne, Credeleie, Aufrike, and so into Temde, and then procéeding forward, the said streame run|neth to Braunford, and yer long (taking in the Langherne that riseth about Martleie,Langherne. and passeth by Kengewtjc) it goeth to Powtjc, and so into the Sauerne before it come at Wickecester.

Thus haue I brought all such streames before me that fall into the Sauerne from the head, vntill I come to Powijc, wherof (as you may easily perceiue) the Temde is the most excellent. Now it resteth that I proceed with the rest of the discourse intended concerning this our riuer. Certes, from Powtjc mils which are about halfe a mile beneth Worcester, the Sauerne runneth on to Kempseie and Cleueld, whence after it hath crossed a brooke comming from Cowleie, it hasteth first to Stoke, and so to Upton, which is eleuen or twelue miles from Glocester, whi|ther it floweth manie times at high tides, but yer it come there, it drowneth another fall descending from Maluerne hilles by Blackemoore parke, & soone after the third growing by two branches, wherof one commeth also from Maluerne hils by little Mal|uerne and Welland, the other from Elderford by Pendocke and Longdon. After these confluences in like sort, it runneth to Bushelleie, and Tewkesbu|rie, where it receiueth the Auon, that follweth next of all in order to be described, before I procéed anie further in my discourse of Sauerne.

The Auon riseth at Nauesbie in the borders of Northhamptonshire,Auon 4. a little side hand of Gillesbo|row and foot of the hils whereon Nauesbie standeth, and euen out of the church yard of the said village. From hence it goeth to Welford, Stamford, Lil|burne, Clifton, and Rugbie, by north whereof it cros|seth a water called Swiff, which commeth from a|boue Kimcote, to Lutterworth, Browne ouer and Colsford.Swiuethus. From thence also it goeth to Newbold, Wolston, Ruington, and betwéene the Stonlies ta|keth in the Sow.Souus. This Sow is a pretie water com|ming from aboue Calendon to Whitleie, and soone after méeting with a riueret from Couentrie, which some doo call Shirburne water, it goeth thence to Bagginton, where it taketh in a rill called Kinell, as I haue red from Kenelsworth,Kinell. from whence it run|neth to Stonleie, & so into the Auon. After this con|fluence the Auon procéedeth on to Stonleie abbeie, Ashehow, Miluerton, Edmonds cote, and appace to Warwijc.

But yer it come there, it méeteth from south east with two waters in one chanell, whereof the least commeth to Marton from Bishops Itchington, by Herburbirie and Thorpe, where it crosseth a rill from Southam.Leame. The other is called Leame, or Lime that descendeth from about Helladon, or néere vnto Ca|tesbie in Northamptonshire, and going by Ouen|cote, Braunston, Lemington and Mertun, it ioineth with the other, and then go from thence togither vn|der the name of Leame, to Hunnington, Cobbing|ton, and so into the Auon, as I gaue notice before. At Warwike also the Auon taketh in a water run|ning northwest from Groue parke. Thence it goeth on to Bereford, and there crossing another from Shir|burne, it passeth forth to Bishops Hampton, méeting finallie with the third, from Kineton that runneth by Walton and Charle illegible ote. After this last rehearsed confluence, it hasteth to Stretford vpon Auon, and then to Luddington ward, where it taketh in the Stoure that riseth aboue Cherington, & whose course from thence is such,Stoure. as that being once past the head, it goeth by Weston, and yer long crossing a water from Campden, hanging Aston, & Todnam, it run|neth to Barcheston, Aldermaston, Clifford, & so into the Auon.

From hence then the said Auon goeth to Lud|dington, Burton, Bitford, and Cleue, and being par|ted from the said towne, yer it come at Sawford, it receiueth the Arow or Aur,Arow. which rising in the blacke hils in Worchestershire, commeth by Alchurch, Be|leie parke, Ypsleie, Studleie, and then taking in an|other rill called Alne,Alne. out of Fecknam forrest, and going by Coughton parke, it hasteth to Alcester, A|row, Ragleie, Wheteleie, Bouington, Standford, and so into Auon, which after this coniunction goeth to Uffenton & then to Eouesholme: but yer it come there it receiueth two waters in one chanell, where|of the first riseth about Willerseie, the other néere to Buckland, and ioining beneath Badseie, they fall into Auon,Pludor. vnder the name of Pludor brooke, before it come to Eouesholme.

Being past Eouesholme it crosseth the Uincell, which rising out of the hils somewhere about Sud|leie, runneth two miles further to Winchelcombe,Vinc illegible lus. and Gretton, and taking in a rill by the waie from Hailes, procéedeth on (going within one quarter of a mile of Hailes abbaie) to Tuddington, or Dodding|ton, beneath which when it hath crossed another rill that commeth from Stanwaie, it goeth to War|mington, Sedgeborow, and receiuing there the last on the right hand also (as all aboue rehearsed) it fal|leth into the Auon, when it is come by Hinton, vnto a towne called Hampton, or (as some doo write it) Ampton. After this confluence the Auon goeth to Charleton, to Crapthorne (and there taking in a rill on the left hand) to Fladbirie wike, and almost at Persore bridge, méeteth with a branched water that commeth by Piddle, whereof one head is at Alber|ton, an other at Piddle.Piddle. From Persore it goeth to Birlingham, and soone after carrieng a brooke with|all descending from Fakenham, by Bradleie, Him|bleton, Huddenton, Crowleie, Churchhill, Pible|ton, Besseford and Desseford, it fléeteth to Ecking|ton, Bredon, Twining, Mitton, and Tewkesburie, where it ioineth with the Sauerne.

Now to resume the course of the Sauerne, you shall vnderstand, that from Tewkesburie it goeth to Derehirst, the How passage, and soone after recei|uing the Chiltenham water that commeth thither by Bodenton,Chilus. Sawton, and Norton, it runneth to Ashelworth, Sainthirst; and here it parteth it selfe till it come to Glocester, where it vniteth it selfe a|gaine. But in the meane time the easterlie branch receiueth a forked chanell, whereof one head is not far frõ Leke Hampton, the other about Witcombe, from whence it goeth to Brockworth. The other branch or arme taketh in the Leadon that commeth downe by Preston,Leadon. Dimmocke, Pantleie vpper Leadon, Leadon court, and there taking in one rill that commeth from Linton by Areknoll, and ano|ther beneath it from Tainton by Rudford, it falleth into the said branch on the right side, before it come at Glocester.

The Sauerne therefore being past Glocester, it méeteth with a litle rill on the right hand, and thence holding on his course by Elmore, Minsterworth, Longneie, to Framilode, it receiueth yer it come at this latter the Strowd brooke, which rising not farre from Side,Strowd. goeth by Massade, Edgeworth, Framp|ton, Strowd, and receiuing there a water that com|meth from Panneswijc Lodge, by Pittescombe on the one side, and another from Radbridge on the o|ther, it prosecuteth his voiage to Stone house, Es|lington, white Misen, & so toward Framilode, where the said Strowd dooth fall into the Sauerne. After the fall of Strowd, the Sauerne goeth from thence to Newenham, and Arlingham, and soone after re|ceiuing a water on each side, whereof one commeth from Uleie by Cham and Chambridge, the other by Blackneie and Catcombe, it goeth foorth till it méet with another water on ech side, whereof that on the English halfe is forked, so that one head thereof is to be found about Boxwell, the other at Horton, and méeting aboue Tortworthie, they run by Stone and Barkeleie castell, and so into the Sauerne. That on the Welsh halfe is named Newarne, which cõmeth from the forrest of Deane,Newarne. and so into the Sauerne.

_THe Sauerne being thus de|scribed, it resteth that I go forward with the names of those that lie vpon the coast of Southwales, making my en|trie at the ferrie ouer be|tweene Aust in Glocester|shire, and a village on the fur|ther banke of Sauerne,Wie mouth. not farre from Tarenda|cus chappell, in the mouth of the riuer Wie, which ferrie is about three miles ouer (saith Leland) or else my memorie dooth faile me.Guie aliàs Wie. This riuer Guie or Wie beginneth (as I said before) on the side of the hilles where the Sauerne dooth arise, and passing through Wenceland, that is, southeast by Raiader Guie to Buelt (where the Irwon meeteth withall) it goeth to Glasburie, Hereford, Monmouth, and finallie into the Sauerne sea at Chepstow: for so they call Mon|hafren, which seuereth Wales from Summerset|shire, Deuonshire, Cornewall: as for the Rhidoll which is the third sister, it hath the shortest course of all, for it runneth northward, and into the sea at A|beristwith, which is not farre off, as the writers doo report.

Leland writing of this riuer Guie or Wie saith thus; The Wie goeth thorough all Herefordshire by Bradwarden castell, belonging to sir Richard Ue|han, and so to Hereford east, thence eight miles to Rosse,Umber a fish onelie in the Wie. a market towne in Herefordshire: and in this riuer be vmbers, otherwise called grailings. It is also found by common experience, that the salmon of this riuer is in season, when the like fish to be found in all other riuers is abandoned and out of vse; wher|of we of the east parts doo not a little maruell. But let vs not staie vpon these descriptions, sith an other is come to my hand more exact than either of these.

The Guie therefore riseth out of the blacke moun|teines of Wales, out of which the Sauerne spring|eth in Radnorshire, and comming by Lhangerike, and Raiadargoie, it receiueth one rill from the west called Darnoll,Darnoll. and another from by northeast com|ming by saint Harmon. Thence it goeth to Lhanu|thell, and in the waie betwixt Raiader and Lhanu|thell, it ioineth with the Elland,Elland. whose head is neere to Comerrstwith, and taketh likewise into him the ClardwenClardwen. that diuideth for a season Radnorshire from Brecknoch, which Clardwen is likewise in|creased by the Clarthie within thrée miles of his head and lesse, hauing his course from southwest & hillie soile adiacent. From Lhanuthell it goeth west of Dissart, where it receiueth the Ithan,Ithan. a riuer rising aboue Lhanibister, and from whence it runneth to Landwie, and Lambaderne vawr: beneath which it crosseth a water on ech side, whereof that on the right hand consisteth on the DulesseDulesse. and the Clue|doch,Cluedoch. after their confluence: the other hight Loma|ron, whose head is aboue Lanihangle,Lamaron. and in the for|rest of Blethwag. After these confluences, it run|neth on crinkeling in strange manner, vnder the name of Ithor, till it come to Dissart, taking in the HawieHawie. on the left side yer it come there, and then in|to the Wie on the north side, which directeth his course further to Bealt, where it receiueth the Yr|won,Yrwon. a notable streame, descending from the hilles aboue Lanihangle Abergwessen, and thence com|ming downe by Lanurid Lang marsh, Lanauan, Uechan, Langantan, and so to Beth or Bealt, being inlarged by the waie with sundrie faire waters, as the Weuereie,Weuereie. whose head is about Lanauan moore, the Dulasse,Dulasse. or (as some call it) the Dowlasse, that commeth from the hilles west of the head of Weue|reie. The Comarch whose head and course is west of the Dowlasse on the north side, and likewise by two other on the southwest, and Dilasse from by south|west, which last rehearsed falleth into him halfe a mile and more aboue the influence of the ComarchComarch. which lieth on the other side. After this our Yrwon goeth to Lhanuareth,Dulesse. where it crosseth the DehonDehon. on the southwest side, then to Aberedwie, and there re|ceiueth the EdwieEdwie. on the northeast, which ariseth in the hilles aboue Botins chappell, and commeth downe by Crigend and Lanhaderne, thence the Guie goeth on to Lanstephan, and there (or a little aboue)Machaweie. taketh in the Machaweie that commeth by castell Paine, and so going on in processe of time with the Leuenni,Leuenni. whereof Leland in his commen|taries doth write as here insueth.

The Leuenni, otherwise called the EuerEuer. or Eue|rie,Euerie. is a farre streame rising in Welch Talgarth hard by Blaine Leuenni, among the Atterill hilles, from whence it goeth to Brecknoch mere, which is two miles long, and a mile broad, and where men doo fish in Vniligneis or botes of one peece, as they doo in Lhin Seuathan, which is foure miles from Breck|noch. Finallie, bringing great store of red sand withall,Brennich. and there with the Brennich water (that hath his originall issue at Mennith gader, and is in|creased with the Trufrin)Trufrin. it falleth into the Wie aboue Glesbiri illegible three miles from Haie, at a place that of the onelie fall of this brooke is named Aberle|nenni, after this the Guie. Being come to Haie, a pretie towne where much Romane coine is found, which they call Iewes monie: and after it hath pas|sed or crossed a little brooke, which commeth from La|nigon, it meeteth with the DulesseDulesse. that commeth also from the Atterill by Kersop, and from thence go|eth to Clifford castell (being now entred into Here|fordshire, and leauing Radnor, wherevnto it hath for a long course béene march) then to the Whitneies, Winferton, Letton, Bradwarden, Broberie, Mo|nington, Biford, Bridgesalers, Eaton, Brinton, and Hereford, without anie influence of riuer wor|thie of memorie, and yet with manie windlesses, & there méeteth with a water rising short of Wormes|leie, which goeth by Maunsell, Lacie, Brinsop, Crod|nell, Stretton, and Huntington, and soone after into the Wie, beside a little rill that runneth betwéene them both euen into Hereford towne. From hence in like sort the Wie hasteth to Rotheras church, Hampton, and Mor illegible ford, where it taketh in sundrie waters in one chanell, of which the Lug or LuieLug. is the principall, and next of all to be described, before I go anie further with the course of the Wie, wherein|to it dischargeth the chanell. It riseth in the edge of the forrest of Kemples aboue Langunlo: from whence it goeth to Momonacht, Pilleth Whitton, Fuldibrooke, Prestaine, so into Herefordshire, where betwéene Bonie & Beton, or Bitton, it receiueth in the Somergill, whose crotched head being march to Radnor forrest, directeth his streame betweene the new and old Radnors, to Knill, to Nash, and so into the Lug, which presentlie passeth by Kinsham, Shir|leie, Ailmister, Kingsland, Eaton chappell, and so in|to Lemister, where it crosseth the Oneie (a streame|let rising short of Shobden, and going by Chorlester) a little before it come to the west side of the towne.

At Lemister it selfe in like sort three waters doo méet, and almost inuiron the towne, that is to saie, the Lug, the Pinfulleie or PinsellPinsell. (a riueret rising at Kingsland two miles from Lemister) & the Ken|brooke,Kenbrooke. which commeth out of the blacke mounteins, from Lemister, otherwise called Leofminster, of the builder, and also Leonminster, the Lug or Luie goeth on to Eaton, and there taketh in a rill beneath Hampton, and aboue Hope, whereof one head is be|twéene Hatfield and Bickleton, another neere vnto Marston, and méeting of both at Humber. From Hampton it goeth to Bodenham, Wellington, Morton, Sutton, Shelwijc, Lugwardin, and Long|ward, where it crosseth the FromeieFromeie. or Frome, a pretie water, and worthie to be remembred. It ri|seth about Wolferelaw, from whence it commeth downe toward the southest by Edwinsloch to Brom|yard, Auenburie, Bishops Frome, Castell Frome, Can Frome,Loden aliás Acton. to Stretton vpon Frome, and there taking in a water called Loden, comming from a|boue Bishops Grendon, by Pencombe, Cowarne, Stoke Lacie, Cowarne, and Engleton, our Frome goeth on to Yarkeleie, Dornington, and Long|ward, and so into the Lug, betweene Longward and Suston, which runneth foorthwith to Mordford, or Morthford, and there into the Wie, vnto whose de|scription I now returne againe.

Being come therefore vnto Mordford, it goeth to Fawnehope, Hamlacie, Ballingham, Capull regis, where it receiueth a water called Treske, from little Berch by Treske,Treske. Fawleie, How, Capull Inkeston, Foie, Brampton, Bridstow, Wilton castell, the Rosse, and there a rill from Bishops Uptonward by Rudhall, Weresend, Ham, Glewston, Godderich, here in like sort meeting with another that commeth from Ecleswall in the confines of Glocestershire, by Peniard castell & Coughton, to Welch Bicknor, English Bicknor, Huntesham, including a parcell of Monmouthshire, being an outliggand, as ye may find in that parcell of Herefordshire which butteth vpon Glocestershire (as you shall find the like peece of Herefordshire in the confines of Salop and Wor|cester, wherein Rochford standeth, beside manie o|ther which I haue elsewhere spoken of) Whitchurch, where it taketh in Gainar water that commeth from Much Birch, by Lanwarne, Michaell church, and at Langarran crosseth the GarranGainar. brooke,Garran. that riseth in Gregwood, short of Arcop, six miles from Monemouth by northwest: after which these two doo runne as one to Marston, and almost Whitchurch, and so into the Wie, which goeth from thence to Gunnarew, S. Michaell, Dixton, and Monemouth, where I will staie a while, till I haue described the Mone,Mona. next of all to be remembred here.

The Mona or Monbecke, riseth in the forrest of Hene, twentie miles from Monemouth by west in Eirisland, and going by Creswell, or Craswall chap|pell not farre from the marches of Brecknocke, and northeast of Hatuill hils,Elkon. which after it hath run a good distance from the head receiueth first the Eskle,Eskill. and passeth by La illegible hangle and the old Court, from northweast, then the Olcon, from southwest, which meeteth withall neere Cledoll or Knedoch, & passing by the old towne, it hasteth to Altrinis, where it be|commeth march betwêene Hereford and Mone|mouth shires, and taketh in a water comming by Trewin, & likewise the HordwieHordwie. or Hodneie which riseth in Brecknocke among the Saterelles, & run|neth by Capell a fin, Lantonie, Cumroie, Michaell church in Monemouthshire, and ioineth with our Mona at Altrinis, which after this confluence hast|eth to Walderstone, Lansillo Langua, betwéene which and Kinechurch it ioineth with the Doure that riseth about the Bache aboue Dourston, which is six miles aboue DoureDoure. abbie, so that it runneth through the Gilden dale, by Peterchurch, Fowchurch, More|hampton, Newcourt, Doure, and beneath Doure ta|keth in the Dulesse,Dulesse. from southwest and Lanihan|gle, by Harleswas castell on the one side, and yer long the Wormesbecke,Wormesbecke. descending from aboue Ke|uernall by Didleie, Deuerox, Workebridge, and Kenderchurch on the other, and so running all in one chanell vnto Mona, that riuer goeth on to Kinech church, Grismond, Cardwaie, Skenfrith, Warne|thall, Perthire, and so to Monemouth, where it mee|teth with the Wie, ouer each of which riuers Mone|muth towne hath his particular bridge.

The Guie or Wie therefore being incresed with thus manie brookes and waters, passeth on from hence, and going toward Landogo, it meeteth with the TrollieTrollie. becke, whose head is aboue Lannam fer|rie in the north part of Monemouth shire, and goeth from thence by Lhantellio, Lanhangle, Grace|diue, Diggestow, Wonastow, Troie, and so into Wie, that runneth also by Wies wood chase, taking in there the ElwieElwie. that commeth from aboue Lan|delwie by Langowen, Lannissen, Penclase, Tri|legh, and Langogo, where méeting with the aforesaid streame, the Wie directeth his course from thence by Tinterne abbeie (where it crosseth a rill from Trile grange) Chapell hill, Parcasicke, Penterie chapell, Lancante, Chepstowe, and so into the sea, leauing the Treacle (a chappell standing on a rocke) on the hand betweene it & Sauerne, ouer against the point that lieth south of Betteslie. Next vnto the Wie, I find a rill of no great course, comming downe from Mounton chappell, by a place of the bishops of Lan|daffe. Thence passing by Charston rocke, and the point whereon Trinitie chappell standeth, I come vn|to the fall of Trogie,Trogie. which riseth short of Trogie ca|stell, and runneth toward the sea, by Landuair, Dew|ston, Calicot, and so into the Ocean, ouer against the Charston rocke. The next fall is of a water that com|meth from aboue Penho by saint Brides,Dennie I|land in the middest of the Sauerne, and likewise an|other litle one called Beue|rage. north and by west of Dennie Iland, which lieth midwaie be|tweene that fall & Porshot point, and before I touch at Goldcliffe point, I crosse another fall of a fresh brooke, whose head is aboue Landueigo in Wence|wood, and course by Lhanbed, Langston, Lhan|warme, and through the More to Witston.

Next vnto this is the Aberwish, or Wiske,Wiske. in Latine Osca, whereon Caerleon standeth, sometime called Chester and Ciuitas legionum, bicause the Ro|mans soiourned there, as did afterward Arthur the great, who also held a noble parlement in the same, whereof Galfride maketh mention Lib. 7. cap. 4. affirming thereto, that in those daies the maiestie thereof was such, as that all the forefronts of their houses were in maner laid ouer with gold, accor|ding to the Romane vsage. There was in the same in like sort a famous vniuersitie, wherein were 200 philosophers; also two goodlie churches erected in the remembrance of Iulius and Aaron, two Brittish martyrs, whereby it might well be reputed for the third metropoliticall sée in Britaine. But to our wa|ter, whereof I read that it is furthermore one of the greatest in Southwales, and huge ships might well come to the towne of Caerleon, as they did in the time of the Romans, if Newport bridge were not a let vnto them; neuerthelesse, big botes come thereto. It is eight Welsh or twelue English miles from Chepstow or Strigull, and of some thought to be in base Wenceland, though other be of the contrarie opinion. But howsoeuer the matter standeth, this ri|uer is taken to be the bounds of Brechnockshire, as Renni is middle to Wenceland & Glamorganshire. But to leaue these by-matters, and come to the de|scription of the water.

You shall vnderstand that the Uske or Wiske,Uske. in Latin Osca riseth in the blacke mounteins ten miles aboue Brechnocke toward Carmardine, the hill be|ing properlie called Yminidh Duy out of which it falleth, and situate in the verie confines betwéene Brechnocke and Carmardine shires, from whence winding into the northeast, it commeth to Treca|stle, and in the waie betwéene it and Capell Rid|burne, it taketh in the Craie brooke,Craie. on the right hand before it come to Ridburne chappell. Going also from thence toward Deuinocke, it crosseth the Sen|neie on the same side (which riseth aboue Capell Senneie) next of all the Camblas,Sennie. & at Aberbraine, the Brane,Camblas. or the Bremich, whose head is thrée miles from Brechnocke,Brane. and running by Lanihangle, it méeteth I saie with the Uske, about master Awbries manor.yster. Beneath Aber Yster, it receiueth the Yster, which riseth northwest aboue Martyr Kinoch, and commeth by Battell chappell, and going from thence by Lanspithed and Newton, it runneth in the end to Brechnocke,Hodneie. where it taketh in the Hodneie or Hon|thie on the one side, whose head is in Blaine Hod|neie, and comming downe from thence by Defrune chappell, Lanthangle and Landiuilog, it méeteth with the Uske or Brechnocke townes end, which of the fall of this water was sometime called Aberhodni, as I haue beene informed: on the other halfe likewise it receiueth the Tertarith that riseth among the Bane hils,Tertarith. fiue miles from Brechnocke, and commeth like|wise into the verie suburbs of the towne, beneath Trenewith, or new Troie, whereby it taketh the course.

After these confluences, the Uske procéedeth on toward Aberkinurike,Kinuricke. or the fall of a water whose head is in the roots of Menuchdennie hill, and passage by Cantresse. Thence it goeth by Lanhamlaghe, Penkethleie castell, Lansanfreid, Landettie, Lan|gonider, and soone after receiuing the RiangallRiangall. (which riseth about the hill whereon Dinas castell standeth, and runneth by Lanihangle and Tretoure) it passeth betwéene Laugattocke and Cerigkho|well, to Langroinie, and there about crosseth the Groinie brooke,Groini. that descendeth from Monegather, Arthur hill, by Peter church, as I find. When the Uske is past this brooke, it taketh in thrée other short rils, from by south within a little distance, whereof the first hight Cledoch Uaur,Cledoch vaur. the second Fidan,Fidan. and the third Cledochvehan.Cledochvehã. Of these also the last falleth in néere to Lanwenarth. From hence the Uske run|neth to Abergeuenni towne, where it méeteth with the Kebbie water from by north,Kebbie. Geuenni. that riseth short of Bettus chappell aboue the towne, and the Geuennie that descendeth from aboue Landilobartholl beneath not farre from Colbroke, and so goeth on to Hard|wijc, beneath which it crosseth thrée namelesse rilles, on the right hand or southwest side before it come at Lanihangle vpon Uske, of whose courses I know not anie more than that they are not of anie length, nor the chanell of sufficient greatnesse seuerallie to intreat of.Birthin. Caer vske standeth on one side of Uske, and Caerleon on the other, but Caer vske by diuerse miles further into the land. Betwéene Kemmeis and Trostreie it meeteth with such an other rill that commeth downe by Bettus Newith. Thence it goeth to Caer Uske or Brenbigeie (whose bridge, I mene that of Uske, was ouerthrowne by rage of this riuer, in the six and twentith yeare of king Henrie the eight, vpon saint Hughes daie after a great snow) but yer it come there, it receiueth the Birthin on the right hand, which is a pretie water, descending from two heads, whereof the first is northwest of Manihilot, as the other is of Lanihangle and Pentmorell.

Next vnto this it ioineth with the Elwie aboue Lanbadocke,Elwie. whose head is east of Penclase, and running westwards by Penclase, Lanislen, Lan|gowen (and beneath Landewie taking in a brooket from Ragland castell, that commeth downe thither by Ragland parke) it bendeth southwest, vntill it come at the Uske, which crinkling towards the south, and going by Lanhowell, méeteth with three rilles before it come to Marthenie chappell, whereof the first lieth on the right hand, and the other on the left: the midlemost falling into the same, not farre from Lantressen, as I haue béene informed. From the mouth of the Romeneie to the mouth of the Taffe are two miles. Certes the Taffe is the grea|test riuer in all Glamorganshire, called (by Ptolo|mie Rhatostathybius, as I gesse) and the citie Taffe it selfe of good countenance, sith it is indued with the cathedrall see of a bishop. The course of the water in like maner is verie swift, and bringeth off such logs and bodies of trées withall from the wooddie hilles, that they doo not seldome cruth the bridge in peeces, but for so much as it is made with timber it is repai|red with lighter cost, wheras if it were of hard stone, all the countrie about would hardlie be able to a|mend it. It riseth in Brechnockshire among the woo|die hilles, from two heads, whereof one is in Mo|nuchdenie, the other west of that mounteine, of which the first called Taffe vaure, goeth by Capell lan ve|han, Uainor, and Morlais, the other by Capell Nan|tie, and ioining at southwest beneath Morlais castle, they go to Martyr Tiduill, and toward Lannabor, but by the waie it taketh in from northwest a brooke called Cunnon, which commeth out of Brechnock|shire by Abardare, and afterward the Rodneie com|ming out of the same quarter (but not out of the same shire) which runneth by Estridinodoch, a crot|ched brooke, & therefore diuided into Rodneie vaure, & Rodneie vehan, that being ioined with the Taffe, doth run on withall to Eglefilian, castle Coch, Whit|church, Landaffe, Cardiffe, and so into the sea, not far from Pennarth point, where also the Laie dooth bid him welcome vnto his chanell or streame. Further|more, from Marthellie it hasteth to Kemmeis, and yer it come at Caerleon or Chester in the south, ta|keth in two waters on the right hand, of which the first commeth downe from the north betweene Landgwie, Landgweth, and by Lhan Henoch, with|out anie further increase: but the other is a more beautifull streame, called Auon, and thus described as I find it among my pamphlets.Auon. The Auon riseth in the hilles that séeme to part Monemouth and Brechenocke shires in sunder, and after a rill recei|ued from Blorench hill on the northside of the same, running downe from thence by Capell Newith and Triuethin, it receiueth a water from by south almost of equall course, and from that quarter of the coun|trie, and in processe of time anotehr little one from the same side, yer it come to Lanurgwaie and La|nihangle, from whence it goeth to Euennocke and Penrose, & so in Uske before it go by Caerleon. But here you must note, that the course of this streame ioining beneath Quenocke chappell, with the other which descendeth (as I said) from the hilles about foure miles aboue Landgwaie and Langweth, dooth make an Iland aboue Caerleon, where Penrose standeth, & much Romane coine is found of all sorts, so that the influence of the one into the other séemeth to me to be but a draine deuised by man, to kéepe the citie from the violence of such water as other|wise would oft annoie the same.

Being past Caerleon it runneth to Crindie, where maister Harbert dwelleth, and there carieng ano|ther brooke withall, that riseth north of Tomberlow hill, and descendeth by Henlis and Bettus chappell, it runneth forth to Newport (in Welch castle, Newith) and from thence vnder a bridge, after thrée or foure miles course to the sea, taking the Ebowith water withall,Ebowith. which méeteth with the same almost in the verie mouth or fall, and riseth in the edge of Breck|noch shire, or (as Leland saith) high Winceland, from two heads, of which one is called Eberith Ue|han, the other Eberith Mawr, as I haue beene infor|med. The course of the first head is by Blamgrent, and after the confluence they passe togither by Lan|hileth, and comming by west of Tomberlow hill (crossing a rill, from north east by the waie) it taketh in thereabout the Serowie,Serowie. that runneth by Tre|strent, & is of lesse race hitherto than the Ebowith, and from that same quarter. After this confluence it goeth to Risleie, Rocheston castell, next of all tho|rough a parke, and so by Greenefield castell, and is not long yer it fall into the sea, being the last issue that I doo find in the countie, which beareth the name of Monemouth, and was in old time a part of the re|gion of the Silures.

The Romeneie orRomeneie. (as some corruptlie call it) the Nonneie, is a goodlie water, and from the head a march betwéene Monemouth & Glamorgan shires. The head hereof is aboue Egglins Tider vap Hoell otherwise called Fanum Theodori, or the church of Theodorus, whence commeth manie springs, & ta|king one bottome, the water is called Canoch and not Romeneie till it be come to Romeneie. It recei|ueth no water on the east side, but on the west di|uerse small beckes, whereof three (and one of them called Ifra) are betwéene the rising and Brathetere chappell, the fourth cõmeth in by Capell Gledis, and Kethligaire, the first from betwéene the Faldraie and Lanuabor, the sixt & seuenth before it come to Bed|was, and the eight ouer against Bedwas it selfe from chappell Martin, Cairfillie castell, and Thauan, after which confluences it runneth on by Maghan, Keuen, Mableie and Romeneie, & yer long crossing a becke at north west that commeth from aboue Lis|uan, Lamssen and Roch, it falleth into the sea, about six miles from the Wishe, and albeit the mouth ther|of be nothing profitable for ships, yet is it also a march betwéene the Silures and Glamorganshire.

The Laie falleth into the sea a mile almost from the Taffe,Laie. and riseth in the hilles aboue Lantrissent (for all the region is verie hillie.) From whence com|ming by Lantrissent and Auercastell, it runneth by Coit Marchan parke, Lambedder, S. Brides, Lhan|nihangle, saint Fagans and Elaie, Leckwith, Lan|dowgh, Cogampill, and so into the sea, without anie maner increase by anie rils at all sauing the Dune|lais,Dunelais. which riseth foure miles from his fall,Methcoid. east north|east, and meeteth withall a little more than a quar|ter of a mile from Pont Uelim Uaur,Pedware. and likewise by west, the Methcoid that commeth from Glinne Rodeneie, and wherein to the Pedware dischargeth that small water gathered in his chanell. Here will I staie a little and breake off into a discourse, which Leland left also as parcell of this coast who toucheth it after this maner.

From Taffe to Laie mouth or Ele riuer a mile,Laie. from Laie mouth (or rather Penarth, that standeth on the west point of it)Thawan. to the mouth of Thawan ri|uer (from whence is a common passage ouer vnto Mineheued in Summersetshire of 17 miles) are a|bout seuen Welth miles, which are counted after this maner. A mile and a halfe aboue Thawan is Scilleie hauenetScilleie. (a pretie succour for ships) whose head is in Wenno paroch two miles and a halfe from the shore.Barrie. From Scilleie mouth to Aber Bar|rie a mile, and thither commeth a little rill of fresh water into Sauerne,This Ile went fiftie yeares agone for x. pounds. whose head is scant a mile off in plaine ground by northeast, and right against the fall of this becke lieth Barrie Iland a flight shot from the shore at the full sea. Halfe a mile aboue A|ber Barrie is the mouth of Come kidie,Come kidie which riseth flat north from the place where it goeth into the Sa|uerne, and serueth oft for harbour vnto sea-farers. Thence to the mouth of Thawan are thrée miles, wherevnto ships may come at will.

Two miles aboue Thawan is Colhow,Colhow. whither a little rill resorteth from Lau Iltuit, thence to the mouth of Alen foure miles, that is a mile to saint Dinothes castell, and thrée miles further.Alen. The Alen riseth by northeast vp into the land at a place called Lhes Broimith, or Skirpton, about foure miles a|boue the plot where it commeth by it selfe into Sa|uerne. From thence to the mouth of Ogur aliàs GurOgur. thrée miles. Then come they in processe of time vnto the Kensike or Colbrooke riuer, which is no great thing,Kensike. sith it riseth not aboue three miles from the shore.Auon. From Kensike to Aber Auon two miles, and herein doo ships molested with weather oftentimes séeke harborough. It commeth of two armes, whereof that which lieth northeast is called Auon Uaur, the o|ther that lieth northwest Auon Uehan. They meet togither at Lhanuoie Hengle, about two miles a|boue Aber Auon village, which is two miles also from the sea.

From hence to the Neth is about two miles and a halfe,Neth. thereon come shiplets almost to the towne of Neth from the Sauerne. From the mouth of Neth vnto the mouth of Crimline becke is two miles, and being passed the same we come vnto the Tauie,Tauie. which descendeth from the aforesaid hilles and falleth into the sea by east of Swanseie. Being past this we come vnto the Lichwr,Lochar. or Lochar mouth, and then gli|ding by the Wormes head,Wandres. we passed to the Wan|dresmouth, wherof I find this description following in Leland. Uendraith Uaur, Uen|draith Uehan. Both Uendraith Uaur and Uendraith Uehan rise in a péece of Carmardineshire, called Issekenen, that is to saie, the low quarter about Kennen riuer, and betwixt the heads of these two hils is another hill, wherein be stones of a gréenish colour, whereof the inhabitants make their lime. The name of the hill that Uendraith Uaur riseth in, is called Mennith Uaur, and therein is a poole as in a moorish ground, named Lhintegowen, where the principall spring is, and this hill is eight or nine miles From Kidwellie: the hill that Uendraith Ue|han springeth out of, is called Mennith Uehan, and this water commeth by Kidwellie towne.

But about thrée or foure miles yer it come thither, it receiueth a brooke called Tresgirth, the course whereof is little aboue a mile from the place where it goeth into Uendraith, and yet it hath foure or fiue tucking milles and thrée corne milles vpon it. At the head of this brooke is an hole in the hilles side, where men often enter and walke in a large space. And as for the brooke it selfe, it is one of the most plentifull and commodious that is to be found in Wales. All along the sides also of Uendraith Uaur, you shall find great plentie of sea-coles. There is a great hole by head of Uendraith Uehan, where men vse to enter into vaults of great compasse, and it is said, that they maie go one waie vnder the ground to Wormes head, and another waie to Cairkemen castell, which is three miles or more into the land. But how true these things are, it is not in me to deter|mine; yet this is certeine, that there is verie good hawking at the Heron in Uendraith Uehan. There are diuerse prints of the passage of certeine worms also in the caue, at the head of Uendraith Uehan, as the inhabitants doo fable: but I neuer heard of anie man that saw anie worme there, and yet it is belée|ued that manie wormes are there. Hitherto out of Leland. But now to returne to mine owne course.

Leauing the Laie,Laie. which some call Elaie, and passing the Pennarth baie, that lieth betwéene the Pennarth and the Lauerocke points, we left Scillie Ilet (which lieth on the mouth of Scillie hauen be|fore described) and came vnto the Barrie,Barrie. whose head is aboue Wrinston castell, and from whence he run|neth by Deinspowis, Cadoxton, Barrie, and so into the sea.

Being past the Barrie water,Aberthaw we come to a fall called Aberthaw, which riseth two or thrée miles aboue Lansanor, and going by Welch Newton, it commeth at length to Cowbridge, and from thence goeth to Lanblethian, Landoch, Beanpéere, Flim|ston, Gilston, and betweene the east and the west Aberthaw, & into the Sauerne sea. But yer it come all there it receiueth a brooke called Kensan, or Karn|san, or Kensech, on the east side, whose head is east of Bolston, & comming by Charnelhoid, Lhancaruan, & Lancadle, it falleth into the former aboue either of the Thawans.Kensan. Leland saith, that Kensan hath two heads, whereof the more northerlie called Brane, li|eth in Luenlithan, and runneth seauen miles before it méet with the other. Leauing this water we sai|led on, casting about the Nash point, omitting two or three small waters (whereof Leland hath alreadie as ye see made mention) because I haue nothing more to add vnto their descriptions, except it be, that the Colhow taketh in a rill from Lan Iltruit, of whose course (to saie the truth) I haue no manner of knowledge.

The Ogur or Gur,Ogur. which some call the Ogmur, is a well faire streame (as we were woont to saie in our old English) whose head is in the same hilles, where the Rodeneies are to be found, but much more westerlie, and running a long course yer it come to anie village, it goeth at the length beneath Langui|neuere or Langouodoch, to S. Brides vpon Ogur, then to Newcastell, and Marthermaure, beneath which it méeteth the Wennie,Wennie. halfe a mile from O|gur or Ogmur castell on the east side of the banke. It riseth fiue or six miles from this place, among the hilles, and comming downe at last by Lanharne, it crosseth a rill yer long from northeast, and the con|fluence passeth foorth by Coitchurch, Ogur castell, & so into the Ogur. Leland writing of the waters that fall into this Ogur saith thus.Garrow. Into the Ogur also resorteth the Garrow two miles aboue Lansan|fride bridge, descending from Blaingarow. It ta|keth furthermore (saith he)Leuennie. another called Leuennie rising in the parish of Glin Corug, at northwest, and then running two miles lower,Corug. vniteth it selfe with the Corug brooke, a little short thing, and worthie no longer speach. From this confluence the Leuennie goeth seauen miles further yer it meete with the O|gur on the west side, at Lansanfride, two miles a|boue Penbowt. And so far Leland. But I wot not what he meaneth by it.

Next vnto the Ogur is the Kensig water,Kensig. that commeth downe by the Pile and Kensig castell,Margan. and being past the same we crosse the Margan rill,Auon. where sir Edward Manxell dwelt, and so vnto Auon, which hauing two heads (as is said) the more easterlie of them commeth downe by Hauodaport chappell, the other by Glin Corug, Michaell church, Aber Auon, and so into the sea, yéelding also in time of néed a good harbour for ships to lodge and ride in. From hence we went along by the Cole pits to the mouth of the Neth.Neth. The Neth is a faire water, rising of diuerse heads, whereof the more easterlie named Nethuehan riseth not farre from the head of the Kennon,Nethuehan. and comming downe by Penedorin to Aberpirgwin,Neth|uaur. it receiueth Nethuaur, a little aboue the towne,Trangarth. which rising not farre southeast of the head of Tauie in Brecknoch shire (as all the rest doo) receiueth the Trangarth,Meltaie. the Meltaie and the Hep|saie, all which are accounted as members of his head in one chanell,Hepsaie. about a mile or more before it ioine with Nethuehan. For as Trangarth riseth east of Nethuaur, so the Melta riseth by east of Trangarth, and ioineth with the same aboue Istrad wealthie, and a little beneath the same towne taketh in the Hepsaie. So that albeit their seuerall risings be half or a whole mile in sunder, yet haue they (in a maner) like distance from Aberpirgwin, and their finall confluence in the edge of Glamorganshire, which they directlie doo crosse. After these confluences, the maine streame runneth in and out by sundrie miles, and through the wooddie soiles, till it méet with Cle|daugh, which ioineth with the same beneath the Re|sonlaie, and goeth withall to Lanisted, where it ta|keth in the Dulesse,Dulesse. whose head is aboue Chappell Krenaunt, in the marches of Brecknoch. Thence it goeth to Cadox towne, or betwéene it and Lanni|stide, then to Neth towne, whither small vessels of|ten come:Cledoch. and beneath the same receiuing the Cle|doch that runneth by Kelebebilch (and also Neth ab|beie where maister Crumwell dwelleth) it goeth on by Coitfranke forrest, Nethwood, Briton ferrie, and so into the sea.

The Tauie riseth in the thickest of the blacke mounteines in Brecknochshire west of Nethuaur,Tauie. and comming downe west of Calwen chappell, it re|ceiueth on the east banke a rill named Coiell that runneth thither by Coielburne chappell:Coilus. and being thus vnited, the chanell passeth foorth by Istrad|gunles,Torch. and then méeting with the Turch or Torch water that cõmeth from the foot of the blacke moun|teines, and is march to parcell of Caermardinshire, it runneth to Langoge, Lansamled, saint Iohns, Swanseis, and so into the Baie. Being past this, we come by another little fall, whose water runneth thrée or foure miles yer it come into Swanseie baie, but without name. Thence we go to the Crimline becke, whose description I neither haue, nor find anie great want therof. Wherfore going about by Oister|mont castell, and Mumbles point, we passe foorth to|ward the southwest by Penmarch point, till we come to Ilston water,Ilston. whose head is not farre within the land; and yet as it commeth thorough the woodland, and downe by Penmarch castell, a rill or two dooth fall into the same. Then casting about by Oxwich point, we go onward there by, and sailing flat north by the Holme (hauing passed the Wormeslead and S. Kennets chappell) and then northeast by Whitford point, we went at length to the Lochar or Loghar,Lochar. or as Lhoyd nameth it, the Lichwr, whose indraught for a certene space is march betwéene Caermardine and Glamorgan shires. It riseth aboue Gwenwie chappell, from whence it goeth to Landbea, and aboueAmond. Bettus receiueth a rill named Amond that entreth thereinto from northeast. Being past Bettus, it passeth by Laneddie, Arthelas bridge, and ouer a|gainst Landilo Talabout, it crosseth from by west, the CombwilieCombwilie. by west of Parkreame, and after|ward the MorlaisMorlais. aboue Langnarch on the same side. Then comming to Loghor castell, it taketh in on the east side, the Lhu,Lhu. whose course is not aboue fiue miles, and thence loosing the name of Lochar, it is called Burraie,Burraie. as some gesse, vntill it come to the sea, where it parteth it selfe going on each side of Bachannie Iland, a small thing, and not worthie (for anie thing I read thereof) as yet to be particularlie described. From this water we passed (I saie) by Bachannies Ile, to the Aberlheddie water, whose head being in the hilles aboue Prenacrois, it passeth by Lhaneltheie, and thence into the sea. Then went we to the Dulesse a little rill,Dulesse. whose head is not farre from Trinsaren: thence by the Pembraie and Cali|coit points,Wandres. till we came about to the Wandres or Uendraith mouth, whose description is partlie tou|ched alreadie; but bicause it is not such as I would with it to be, I will here after my owne maner deale somewhat further withall. Gwendrath or Uendraith vaur riseth in the lower ground, or not far from the hill Renneth Uaur, whereon castell Careg standeth, and descending by a pretie long course vnder sundrie bridges, commeth at the last to Glin, then to Capull Lanberie, and so vnto the sea, being little augmen|ted with influences by the waie. Uendraith Uehan riseth a mile higher towards the north than Uen|draith Uaur, but out of the same soile, & thence dire|cting his course toward the southwest, it goeth by Lancharog, Langendarne, Capull Langell, Bithon, Leighdenie, Kidwillie, and so into the sea, about one mile from the fall of Uendraith Uaur.

The Towie riseth in the mounteines of Elen|nith foure miles by southeast from Lintiue,Towie. and two from Lingonon, in a moorith ground foure & twen|tie miles from Caermardine, and in a forrest called Bishops forrest, midwaie betwixt Landwibreuie & Landanuerie castell. For fish, in my opinion, this is much better than the Taw or Taffe, whose head breedeth no fish, but if it be cast into it, they turne vp their bellies, flote aloft, and die out of hand. It par|teth Brecknoch from Cardigonshire also for a cer|teine season,Trausnant. till it come by the water of Trausnant, that falleth thereinto from by cast out of the confins of Brecknoch, vnto Pilin capell, and so to Istrode|fine,Tothee. where it méeteth with the Tothee that com|meth thither from Lhinuerwin where it riseth, and so through Rescoth forrest, vniting it selfe by the waie with the Pescotter,Pescotter. which mounting out of the ground in the edge of Cardigonshire, runneth along as a limit and march vnto the same, till it ioine with the Tothée, and both come togither beneath Istrode|fine into Towie, which we haue now in hand. After this confluence it commeth to Lhanuair Awbreie, Lanthowell, and Lanimphsrie, and here it receiueth two waters in one chanell, whereof the first is called Brane,Brane. the other GutherijcGutherijc. (which lieth more souther|lie of the two) and fall (as I said) into Towie be|neath Landonuereie, which runneth on till it méet with the first Dulesse that goeth by Lenurdie,Dulesse. then with the Morlais,Morlais. and these on the northwest. Certes the Brane is a pretie brooke rising two or thrée miles aboue Capell Newith, and descending by Lanbrane and Ustradwalter, it méeteth (I saie) with the Gu|therijc, whose head is west of Tridcastell in Breck|nochshire, and thereby it is not a little increased. But to proceed with the Towie, which being past Lanimphfrie and a rill that méeteth with the same, descending from northwest of Lanurdan, it taketh in the influences of diuerse waters in one chanell, of which the greatest is called Modewie, and thereof I find this description.

The Modewie,Modewie. or (as some pronounce it) Mo|sheuie, riseth of two heads, which ioining aboue La|nihangle, the streame runneth on till it meet with the Cledoch on the left hand,Cledoch. procéeding also further to|ward Langadocke, it receiueth not far from thence the Sawtheie,Sawtheie. whose two heads descend from the blacke mounteines or east edge of Carmardine|shire (as mine information leadeth me.) After thisDulesse. 2. confluence the second Dulesse dooth meet with the Towie, whose head is in the hilles aboue Talthogaie abbeie, northwest from Langadocke full fiue miles: then comming downe by Landilovaur, Newton; Dinefar castell, and Golden groue,Dulesse. 3. it receiueth the third Dulesse from by north that commeth in by La|nihangle and Drislan castell,Cothie. and after that the Co|thie, whose race is somewhat long, and therefore his description not vtterlie to be passed ouer.

Not farre from the head (which is three miles from Landanbreuie, vnder the hulke of Blame Icorne, a narrow passage, and therein manie heaps of stones) and somewhat beneath Lana Pinsent chappell, it ta|keth in the Turche becke that runneth thither from aboue Lanacroies:Turche. thence it goeth to Lansawell, Abergorlech, Breghuangothie, Lannigood, and so into Towie, which hasting forward by chappell De|wie, receiueth the Rauelthie from by north,Rauelthie. Gwilie. then the Gwilie from northwest, whose head is aboue Lanie Pinsent, and race by Canwell, Eluert, Comewilie, and Merling hill, as I haue often heard. After this confluence with the Gwilie, the Towie goeth to Ca|ermardine, then to Lanigang, then to Lanstephan, S. Ismaels, and so into the sea.

Next vnto the Towie is the Taue,Taue. whose head is in the blacke mounteines, as at the roots of Wren|ni vaur hill in Pembrookeshire, from whence it run|neth by Lanuurnach, Langludien, Lanualteg, and taking in the Dudderie from southwest,Dudderie. out of the same countie by Lanbederuelfraie, and Lindwie, it goeth to Eglesware chappell, beneath which it cros|seth the Marlais by north that runneth by Lanbedie and Whitland.Marlais. Thence meeting with one rill called Uenni,Uennie. as I take it, that commeth through Cardith forrest on the one side, and the CaireCaire. on the other that runneth into it west of Landowror, it hasteth to S. Clares,Carthkinnie. where it taketh in the Carthkinnie, or Barthkinnie (as Leland calleth it) and the GowGow. or Tow both in one chanell, of which the first riseth a|boue Capell Bettus, from whence it runneth by Talacouthe, Kilsant, and Langinnin, the other is|sueth out of the ground aboue Trologh Bettus, by Midrun, & ioining with the former a little aboue S. Clares, they run into the Taue, and from thence to Lanihangle, and betwéene it and Abercowen, ad|mitteth finallie the Gowen or Gow streame,Gowen. which comming likewise from the blacke mounteines, go|eth by Ebbernant, & so into the Taue, who directeth his course by Lancharne castell, and then into the sea.

The next water that we come to is the Gwair,Gwair. which is but a small thing rising aboue Lambeder Uelfraie, and going from thence by east of castell Merhie hill, Cruinuier and Argwaire, it is not long yer it fall into the sea, and so we leaue Cairdinshire, and go ouer into Penbrooke. Then passed we by an other comming out of Rathe forrest called Coit Rathe, the water it selfe rising about Templeton. Thence leauing the Monkeston rocke, we came to Tenbie or Diubechie Piscood, and passing into the port betwéene the castell and S. Katharines rocke, we found it serued with two little backe waters,Brechnocke. of so small countenance, that they are not worthie of anie further talke to be spent in their descriptions: yet the one seemeth to be called Florence brooke, the other Fresto, Gunfreston standing betwéene them both, whereby their sight cannot perish. After this we passed betwéene Londie and an other Ilet or rocke lieng by northwest of the same,From Lon|die to Caldie thirtie miles. to Ludsop point, & so to Abertrewent, where I found a sillie fresh water named Trewend that riseth a mile or thereabout within the land.Trewent. From thence we went southwards by Brode hauen, till we came to S. Gowans point. Then gathering west and by north before we came at Shepe Iland, we found another fresh water, that riseth short of Kiriog Maharen, and running south of Uggarston, Windmill hill, or betwéene it and Castell Norton and Gupton, it holdeth on flat west all the waie till it come to the Ocean.

Being passed this water, we cast about toward the northwest, by the Poptons and Pennar, till we came to the Pennar mouth,Pennar. out of which the salt wa|ter issueth that in maner inuironneth Penbroke. From this (omitting sundrie salt créekes on both sides of the hauen, not appertinent to our purpose) we came to the fall of two waters in one chanell, aboue whose confluence Williamston parke standeth, and whereof one (a méere salt course) incloseth thrée parts of Carew castell. The other rising neere to Coit Rath forrest is a fresh, & going by Geffraiston, Creswell & Lawrenie, it leaueth the parke on the south side, & go|eth into the hauen after confluence with the former.

Now come I to the two swords,Dugledu. or hauen of Mil|ford, whereinto two riuers direct their course from the northeast called Dugledu or the two swords,Cultell. and betwéene them both is a rill which they call also Cult|lell (that is to saie) the knife. Hereof riseth a merrie tale of a Welshman, that lieng in this place abroad all night in the cold weather, and peraduenture not verie well occupied, was demanded of his hostesse (where he did breake his fast the next morrow) at what inne he laie in the night precedent, bicause he came so soone to hir house yer anie of hir maids were vp? Oh good hostesse (quoth he) be contented, I laie to night in a dangerous estate, for I slept betweene two swords with a long knife at my heart; meaning indéed that he laie betwéene these two riuers, and his brest towards the south neere to the head of Cult|lell. But to passe ouer these iests. Here Leland spea|keth of a riuer called Gwilie,Gwilie. but where it riseth or falleth, he maketh no certeine report: wherefore it is requisit that I proceed according to my purpose.

The one of these swords is called Clotheie or Clo|thie, of which I find this short and breefe description.Clotheie. The Clothie riseth at the foot of Wrennie vaure hill and comming downe to Monachlodge, Langelman, Lannakeuen, and Egremond, it receiueth a rill from by northwest before it come at Lanhaddon ca|stell, which commeth from aboue the moore by Clar|baston and Bletherston, his head arising in the hill west of Mancloghaie, as Leland dooth informe me. Yer long also and beneath Lanhaddon it taketh in another on the cast side from Narbarth castell, com|ming by Robeston, then going by Eunaston, Sle|bach, Picton castell, Sister houses, Minware & Mar|theltwie, at Rise castell point west of Coit Kenles (as I haue béene informed) it taketh in the other sword,Dugledie. named Dugledie, wherof I read as followeth. The head of the Dugledie is somwhere at northwest, betwixt S. Laurences & S. Dugwels, from whence it runneth to Trauegarne, Redbaxton, & taking in a rill by the waie from Camrose at the west, it goeth to Hauerford or Hereford west, and there vniteth it selfe with a water, which peraduenture is the same that Leland called Gwilie.Gwilie. Certes it riseth short of Walton, and comming by S. Leonards chappell and Pendergest, it falleth I saie into the Dugledie, ouer against the towne of Hauerford or Herford west, but in Welsh Hulford; as Lhoid dooth set it downe. Be|neath Herford it taketh in another water from south west, whose head is short of S. Margarets chappell, and enterance betweene Harraldston and Herford, which Harraldstone receiueth the name of Harrald the successour of Edward the confessour as some call him, who was a gréeuous mall vnto the Britons that remained in the time of the said Edward; as I haue noted elsewhere. Then the Dugledie still descending taketh in the Frese frõ Fresethorpe, a rill of no great accompt, and therefore I go from it making hast vn|to Culthell, & omitting two rils betwéene it and the Clotheie on the southside, of no great weight and moment. The Cultlhell commeth into the Dugledie beneath Bolston, with a streight course from by north, of three or foure miles, rising by west of Sle|bach, and comming by Bowlston, after whose vnition with the aforesaid water, they run on as one till they méet with the Clothie, casting out by the waie sun|drie salt créekes, as the maine chanell dooth from thence foorth vntill it passe the Sandie hauen, the Dale rode (whither a sillie fresh rill commeth of small value) & be come about againe to the large Ocean.

Hauing thus shewed the courses of those few fresh waters that come to Milford hauen, we cast a|bout by the Blockehouse and S. Annes chappell to Gateholme Ile,Gateholme Ile. that lieth betwéene S. Annes and the Wilocke point, directlie ouer against Stocke|holmeStockeholme Ile. Iland that is situat further off into the sea, to|ward the southwest, and is full halfe so great as the Scalmeie that I elsewhere described. Betwéene the Willocke point also and the Scalmeie, directlie west is the Midland Ile,Midland Ile. full so great as the Gateholme.Gresholme. As for the two rocks that lie by north and south of the Scalmeie, of which the one is called the Yardland stone, the other Mewstone, it shall not be greatlie re|quisit to stand on their discourses, sith they are such as may hardlie be taken for Ilands, and euen in like sort we may iudge of S. Brides Ile, which is south|west of Calthrop rode, & likewise of the Gresholme, whereof I find this short description. The Gresholme lieth directlie west of Scalmeie, from whence if you saile thither on the south side, you must néeds passe by the Mewstone rocke: if on the north of Scalmeie, you must leaue the Yarland stone on your left hand. Wherto if you note well the situation of these Ilands alreadie named, and confer them with the Ramseie and S. Dauids land, you shall find them to produce as it were two dangerous points, including the Brid baie, wherein (notwithstanding the greatnesse) are 1000 perils, and no fresh brookes for me to deale withall. Finallie, hauing doubled the Willocke point, we thought it not good altogether to leaue that baie vnsearched, at lestwise to sée what Ilands might there be found, & long entred into the same, we beheld one which the men of the countrie call S. Brides I|land,S. Brides Iland. a verie little place and situate néere the land, be|fore I came at Galtroie rode. From thence we went about by the little hauen, Doluach hauen, Caruaie hauen, Shirelace rocke, Carnbuddie, and Earnaie baies, Portelais, and so into the found betwéene Ramseie and the point. In this sound likewise is a little Ile, almost annexed to the maine: but in the middest thereof, I meane of the sound, is a rocke called the horsse (a mile and more by north of Ribbie rocke, that lieth south east of Ramseie) and more in|fortunate than ten of Seians colts, but thanked be God I neuer came on his backe.A fort of dan|gerous rocks lieng on a row vpon the west end of South|wales called the Bishop & his clerkes. Thence passing by S. Stephans, and Whitesand baies, we saluted the Bishop and his clerks, as they went in procession on our left side (being loth to take anie salted holie wa|ter at their hands) and came at last to the point cal|led S. Dauids head, which Ptolomie calleth Octapita|num promontorium, except I be deceiued. But here gentle reader giue me leaue to staie a while, and in|sert the words of Leland touching the land called S. Dewies or S. Dauids land, whereof some men may peraduenture haue vse, his words are these. Being therefore past this hauen and point of Demetia, in casting about the coast we come to S. Dewies or S. Dauids land,S. Dewie or Dauid a illegible one, which Ptolomie calleth Octapitanum pro|montorium, I read to be separated from the rest of the countrie much after this maner, although I grant that there may be and are diuerse other little creekes betwixt Newgale and S. Dauids head, and betwixt S. Dauids and Fischard, beside those that are héere mentioned out of a register of that house.

As we turne therefore from Milford, S. Dauids land beginneth at Newgale, a créeke serued with a backe fresh water. Howbeit there is a baie before this creeke betwixt it and Milford. From hence a|bout foure miles is Saluach creeke, otherwise called. Sauerach,Saluach. whither some fresh water resorteth: the mouth also thereof is a good rescue for balingers, as it (I meane the register) saith. Thence go we to Por|telais three miles,Portelais. where is a little portlet, whither the AlenAlen. that commeth through saint Dewies close dooth run. It lieth a mile southwest from S. Dewies, saint Stinans Chappell also is betwéene Portelais, and Portmaw.Portmaw Maw. The next is Port Maw, where I found a great estuarie into the land. The PendwiePendwie. halfe a mile from that: Lhand UehanLannuehan. is thrée miles from Pendwie,Tredine. where is a salt créeke, then to Tre|dine three miles, where is another creeke to Langun|da, foure miles,Langunda. and another créeke is there in like sort where fishermen catch herrings. Héere also the Gwerne riuer diuideth Penbidiane from Fischer|dine Kemmeis land.Fischard. From Langunda to Fischard at the GwerneGwerne. mouth foure miles, and here is a portlet or hauenet also for ships. And thus much of S. Dauids land.

Besides this also, Leland in a third booke talketh of lhinnes and pooles, but for asmuch as my purpose is not to speake of lakes and lhinnes, I passe them ouer as hasting to Teifie, in Latine Tibius, and af|ter Ptolomie Tuerobius or Tiuirobius, which is the next riuer that serueth for my purpose. And yet not forgetting to touch the Gwerne, for after we came from saint Dauids head, we coasted along toward the southeast, till wée came ouer against saint Catha|rins, where going northwards by the bread hauen, and the Strombles head, we sailed thence northeast, and by north, to Langlas head, then flat south by the Cow and Calfe (two cruell rockes) which we left on the left hand, & so coasted ouer to Abergwin or Fis|chard,Gwerne. where we found a fresh water named Guin, or Gwerne, whose course is in maner directlie out of the east into the west, from Uremie hils by pont Uaunt and Lanichair, vntill it come within a mile of the foresaid towne. It riseth flat north of the Per|selie hill, from whence it goeth by Pont vaine, Laue|rillidoch, Lanchar, Landilouair, & so to Abergwine, or Abergwerne, for I read both. From Abergwine, we cast about by Dinas head, till we come to the fall of Neuerne,Neuerne. where Newport standeth. The head of this riuer is aboue Capell Nantgwin, from whence it runneth by Whitchurch, but yer it come at Kilgwin, it taketh in a little water that riseth short of Wrenie vaure, and thence go foorth as one vntill they come to Newport. Cardigan hauen is the next fall that I did stumble on, wherein lieth a litle Iland ouer against the north point. Hereinto also commeth the Teifie,Teifie or Tine. a noble riuer which riseth in Lintinie, and is fraught with delicate samons, and herein and not else where in all the riuers of Britaine, is the Castor or Beuer to be found. But to procéed. The verie hed thereof (I saie) is foure miles aboue Stradflore in Luitie, and after it hath run from thence a little space, it receiueth a brooke from southeast that com|meth out of Lin Legnant, and then after the conflu|ence runneth on to Stradflore abbeie, beneth which it méeteth with the Miricke waterMiricke. (that riseth aboue Stradmirich) and soone after with the LandurchLandurch. (both from the northwest) and finallie the Bremich aboue Tregaron, that commeth in by the east; as Leland hath set downe.

Néere to Landwibreuie also it crosseth the Bro|mis by east northeast,Bromis. and then goeth to Landuair, Cledogh,Matherne. Kellan, and soone after taking in the Ma|therne from by east, that parteth Cardigan partlie from Carmardine shire,Dulas. and likewise that Dulas a|boue Lanbedder (which riseth aboue Langibbie, and goeth thence to Bettus) on the northwest, it goeth next of all to Lanbedder towne, then to Laniuair, beneath which it crosseth the Grauelth,Grauelth. thence to Pencarocke, Lanibether, Lanlonie, Lanihangle, and Sandissell, and there it vniteth it selfe with the Clethor or Dettor,Clethor. which commeth downe thither by Lantisilued chappell, Lanfraine, and finallie Landis|sell from by north, as I doo here affirme. After this confluence it procéedeth on to Landuaie, Alloine, Bangor, Langeler, Landeureog and Newcastell, yer long taking in the Kerie from by north,Kerie. whose head is not farre from that of Clethor, and whose course is somewhat inlarged by such rilles as des|cend into the same. For west of Kenwith two becks in one chanell doo fall into it, which be namelesse, and but of a little length.

Beneath Tredwair also it crosseth another from by west, that runneth along by Bettus, Euan, and fi|nallie méeting with the Teifie, they run as one by Kennarth (still parting Cardigon shire from Car|mardin, as it hath doone sith it met with the Ma|therne) and so forth on till they ioine with the Cheach,Cheach. which rising southeast aboue chappell Euan, dooth part Carmardine and Brechnocke shire in sunder, till it come vnto the Teifie. From this confluence, and being still a limit vnto Cardigon shire, it goeth by Marierdine, and so to Cardigon, taking in one rill from by north descending by Penneralt, by north of Monardiue or Marierdiue, and two other from by southwest, of which the one commeth in be|neath Kilgaron castell, the other from Lantwood northwest of Oswid Mortemer, which lieth southeast of Cardigan, and then going forward betwéene S. Dogmaile, & Langordinere, it is not long yer it fall into the Irish sea, flat west and by north from his vprise, and sending vs forth from Penlooke into Cardigon shire, wherevnto it hath become march e|uer sithence it came from Kellam, or confluence with the Matherne.

Being come into Cardigon shire, and hauing passed the Cardigon point, an Iland of the same de|nomination lieng by west thereof, we came vnto the fall of Airon thrée miles beneath Lancleere,Airon. it riseth in the mounteines by a chappell called Blam Peni|all belonging to Landwie breuie about thrée or foure miles from Tiue banks, & runneth on by Lamber|wooddie, Langitho, Tregrigaron hill, Treuilian, Talaferne, and soone after taking in a rill from by south from Siliam by Lanleir it runneth by Istrade, Kilkennen, Lanicharin, and finallie into the sea, crossing by the waie the Bidder brooke, which com|ming from Dehewide,Bidder. dooth fall into the same, be|twéene Lanchairin, and Henuenneie.Arth. The Arth which is the next fall is no great thing, neither of a|nie long course, yet somewhat crotched, and it riseth three or foure miles or more within the land slope|wise, and comming by Lambaderne, and Treue|glois, it falleth into the sea, northeast of Aberarth.

Being past the Arth, & hauing staied there a while bicause we found some harborough, we came next of all vnto the Wereie, which riseth of two heads,Ris aliàs Wereie. aboue whose confluence standeth a towne, named Lani|hangle, Redrod, and from whence it goeth by Lani|gruthen to Laristed, & so into the Ocean. Then went we to the Ystwith, which riseth in the blacke moun|teins aboue Comerstwith, from whence it runneth certeine miles,Istwith. vntill it come vnto Ispittie, Istwith, Lananon, Laniler, Lan Nachairne, and so into the sea, taking withall first the Meleuen, then the Ridall or Redholl not farre from the shore,Redholl. whereof I haue this description. The Ridall riseth in the top of Plim|limmon hill out of a lake named Lin Ridall, from whence going toward Spittie Kinwen, it crosseth one water on the north, and another beneth it on the southeast, and so goeth on by Lanbeder vaure, till it come to Aberistwith, the Istwith, and so into the O|cean. Hauing thus viewed the Istwith, and taken our selues againe to the sea, we crossed the Salke or Salique brooke,Salique. whereof I find this memoriall.

The Salique brooke descendeth in like sort from the blacke mounteins, & going from Ummaboue, toward Gogarth, or Gogirthar, it receiueth the Mas|salique,Massalique. and from thence goeth into the sea, southwest from his originall. From hence we went to the Le|rie, an indraught of no great quantitie,Lerie. neither com|modious as I gesse (yet I may be deceiued) for anie ship to harborough in. It riseth toward the lower ground of the blacke hils, and going by Lanthangle castell Gwalter, it runneth from thence northeast in|to the Ocean, receiuing a rill by the waie from the hilles which lie by northeast of his course. But what stand I vpon trifles?

Thus haue I brought my selfe out of Caerdigan shire vnto the Wie,Wie. which is limit betwéene it and Merioneth for a certeine space, & being entred in the mouth thereof we gat vp to the head, minding in the description of the same to come downeward as in the rest, which we will doo in such good manner as for the time and want of some information is pos|sible to be performed. It ariseth in the south part of Snowdonie and goeth on foorth right to Lammoth|wie, by Mowdhewie, Mathan laith, and comming downe to Dinas Mathew, it receiueth two rilles from northwest, and the third comming by Mailroid called Cludoch from northeast, & so holdeth on cros|sing the Angell water at the west, which boundeth Mongomerie shire in part,Romis. till it come to Romis, be|neath which water it taketh in the Towin that pas|seth by Lambrin mawr from Talgarth, and then go|eth to Mathrauerue, crossing another from by north and so foorth to Lanworing, where it méeteth with the Kerig on the one side, and the Gwidall which com|meth from Dorowen on the other.

After this, our maine riuer goeth by Pen|gos, and beneath the same taketh in an influence from southeast, called the Dulas, and another from the northwest from thence it hasteth on to Ma|genillet, or Machenlet, first crossing the Leuennie from southeast, secondlie the Peniall from north|west, thirdlie the Einon, fourthlie the Kinar, fiftlie the Cleidor, these thrée last rehearsed falling into it from southeast, & the last hauing his course by Lan|gwinhelin and so into the sea, as mine instruction vpholdeth. It séemeth in some mens iudgements to part Northwales and Westwales in sunder, and the same which in Latine hight Deuus, in Welsh or Bri|tish Dift or Dewie, whereof the Latine doth séeme to fetch his sound. But to procéed with the rest of such falles and waters as are to be found in this countie. Going therfore northwestward we come to a fall frõ the north called Towen Merionneth which is the mouth of the Difonnie streame, a pretie riuer rising in the hilles aboue Lanihangle, and west of castell Traherne receiueth the Ridrijc, which commeth from Chadridrtjc hill, by Tallillin castell, Treherie, and so into the Difonnie from southeast, fetching his course by Lanegrin, and so into the sea within fiue miles thereof.

Being past this we did cast about by the Sarna|bigh point, till we came to the Lingouen becke, and so to the Barre, which is a faire water, and therefore worthie to be with diligence described, yet it is not called Bar from the head, but rather Moth or Derie, for so are the two chiefe heads called out of which this riuer descendeth, and are about six miles west of the Lin, out of which the Dée hath his issue, and betwéene which the Raran vaure hilles are situat and haue their being. After the ioining of the two heds of this Barre, as I name it from the originall, it receiueth a rill from northeast called Cain, & another beneath the same, comming from Beurose wood, and so hol|deth on towards the south betweene Laniltid and Kemmor abbaie, till it meet a little by west of Dol|gelth with the Auon vaure, which comming also out of the Woodland soile, & taking in a rill from Gwan|nas, hasteth northwestward (by Dolgelth) to ioine with the Barre, and being met they receiue the Kes|silgunt, then the Hirgun, & after a course of foure to fiue miles it falleth into the sea, hauing watered the verie hart & inward parts of this shire. From hence we crosse the Skethie which runneth by Corsogdale and Lanthwie, aliàs Lanthonie, then the Lambader which receiuing the Artro aboue Lambader, doth fall into the sea, southeast of the point, and flat south of Landango, which is a towne situat on the other side of the turning.

After this we passed by Aberho, so named of the riuer Ho,Ho. that falleth there into the sea, and commeth thither from the Alpes or hils of Snowdonie, moun|teins, no lesse fertile for grasse, wood, cattell, fish and foule, than the famous Alpes beyond the seas, where|of all the writers doo make so honorable report. From hence we sailed by Abermawr or mouth of Mawr,Mawr. which commeth in like sort from Snowdonie, and taketh diuerse riuers with him whose names I doo not know.Artro. Then vnto the Artro a brooke, whose head commeth from by north east, and in his course receiueth the Gedar on the north side, and so holdeth on till it fall into the sea, after a few windlesses which it maketh as it passeth. After this we come to Traith vehan, which is the fall of the Drurid, a pretie riuer comming from the marches of Caernaruon|shire, which passing by Festimog, soone after taketh in the Cunwell, then the Uelenrid; and so holdeth on to Deckoin, where it falleth into the said Traith. For of the other two rilles that lie by south hereof, and haue their issue also into the same, I make but small accompt, bicause their quantitie is not great. Next vnto this we haue Traith mawr, whereinto the Farles hath his issue,Farles. a riuer proceeding from Snowdonie or the Snowdon hils, descending by Bethkelerke and Lanwrothen, without mixture of anie other water in all his course and passage. It is parcell of the march also betwéene Merioneth and Caernaruon shires. From Traith mawr we passe by the Krekith, and come to another water descend|ing from the north by Lanstidwie, and after that to the Moie, whose mouthes are so néere togither, that no more than halfe a mile of the land dooth seeme to kéepe them in sunder.

Then come we vnto the Erke,Erke. a pretie brooke descending from Madrtjn hils, into whose mouth two other of no lesse quantitie than it selfe doo séeme to haue their confluence, and whose courses doo come a|long from the west and northwest; the most souther|lie being called Girch, and the other the Hellie: ex|cept my memorie doo faile me. Then casting about toward the south (as the coast lieth) we saw the Aber|soch or mouth of the Soch riuer vpon our right hand,Soch. in the mouth whereof, or not farre by south thereof lie two Ilands, of which the more northerlie is called Tudfall, and the other Penrtjn: as Leland did obserue. I would set downe the British names of such townes and villages as these waters passe by; but the writing of them (for want of the lan|guage) is so hard to me, that I choose rather to shew their falles and risings, than to corrupt their denomi|nations in the writing: and yet now and then I vse such words as our Englishmen doo giue vnto some of them, but that is not often, where the British name is easie to be found out and sounded.

After this, going about by the point, and leauing Gwelin Ile on the right hand, we come to Daron riuer,Daron. wherevpon standeth Aberdaron a quarter of a mile from the shore betwixt Aberdaron and Uorti|gernes vale, where the compasse of the sea gathereth in a head, and entereth at both ends. Then come we about the point to Edarne becke,Edarne beck. a mile and more south of Newin. And ten or twelue miles from hence is the Uennie brooke, whose course is little aboue so manie miles; and not farre from it is the Liuan, a farre lesse water, comming also from the east: and next vnto that another, wherinto the Willie by south and the Carrog by north after their coniunction doo make their common influence. Hauing passed this riuer, we cast about toward the north east, and enter at Abermenaie ferrie, into the streicts or streame called Menaie, betweene Angleseie and the maine, méeting first of all with the Gornaie, which commeth from the Snowdonie out of the Treuennian lake, and passeth by Lanunda into the sea or Menaie streame at South crocke. Next of all we meet with the Saint, which commeth from Lin Lanbereie, pas|seth by Lanihangle, and so falleth into the Me|naie at Abersaint, which is on the southwest side of Caernaruon: on the other side also of the said towne is the Skeuernocke, whereby it standeth betweene two riuers, of which this hath his head not farre from Dinas Orueg.

Then come we (saith Leland) to Gwiniwith mi|rith (or Horsse brooke) two miles from Moilethon, and it riseth at a Well so called full a mile from thence. Moilethon is a bowe shot from Aberpowle, from whence ferrie botes go to the Termone or Angleseie. Aberpowle runneth thrée miles into the land,Conte. and hath his head foure miles beyond Bangor in Me|neie shore: and here is a little comming in for botes bending into the Meneie.Gegeine. Aber Gegeine commeth out of a mounteine a mile aboue,Torronnen. and Bangor (tho|rough which a rill called Torronnen hath his course) almost a mile aboue it. Aber Ogwine is two miles aboue that;Ogwine. it riseth at Tale linne, Ogwine poole, fiue miles aboue Bangor in the east side of Wi|thow. Aber Auon is two miles aboue Aberogwene,Auon. and it riseth in a poole called Lin man Auon, thrée miles off.Lannar Uehan. Auon lan var Uehan riseth in a moun|teine therby, and goeth into the sea, two miles aboue Duegeuelth.Duegeuelth. Auon Duegeuelth is three miles aboue Conweie, which rising in the mounteins a mile off, goeth by it selfe into Meneie salt arme. On the said shore also lieth Conweie, and this riuer dooth run be|twixt Penmaine Maur, and Penmaine Uehan. It riseth about three miles from Penmaclon hils which lie about sixtie miles from Conweie abbeie, now dis|solued out of a lake called Lin Conweie, and on the north and west of this riuer standeth the towne of Conweie, which taketh his name thereof.

This riuer (which Ptolomie calleth Toesobius, Téec. as I take it) after the deriuation thereof from the head, passeth on the west side by Spittieuan and Tiherio, beneath which it taketh in a streame comming from the east out of Denbighshire, deriued from thrée heads, and of the greatest called Nag. Soone after also another, and then the third, which commeth in from the west by Lanpen Mawr: next of all the Le|der on the same side, which commeth by Dolathelan castell: and aboue that from a Lin of the same deno|mination. Beneath this and selfe hand lieth like|wise the Ligow or Ligwie,Ligow. proceeding from two lakes, that is, the Mumber and the Ligow. On the right hand as we still descend, is the Coid, then the Glin, & a little lower we méet with the Lin Ge|rioneth: and after we be past another on the right side, we come to the Perloid, which commeth out of Lin Cowlid, to the Ygan, to the Idulin, to the castell Water on the left, & then to the Melandider on the right, without the sight of anie other, till we come almost to Conweie, where we find a notched streame comming from by west, and called Guffen or Gyffin into the same by one chanell on the norrtheast side of the towne, beneath Guffin or Gyffin, and ouer a|gainst Lansanfraid in Denbighshire; so farre as I now remember. Some part of Carnaruonshire stretcheth also beyond Aber Conweie, or the fall of Conweie,Ormeshed. & it is called Ormeshed point, wherein al|so is a rill, whose fall into the sea is betwéene Penrin and Landright. And thus we haue made an end of the chéefe waters which are to be found in this countie.

The next is a corner of Denbigh, by which we doo as it were step ouer into Flintshire, and whose first water is not great, yet it commeth from south|west, and falleth into the north or Irish sea called Virginium, beneath Landilas; as the next that commeth south from Bettas dooth the like thrée miles beneath Abergele,Gele. and is not onelie called Gele (as the name it selfe importeth) but also noted to take his course through the Canges. Hauing thus gone ouer the angle of Denbighshire, that lieth betwéene those of Carnaruon and Flint, we come next of all vnto Aber Cluide, or the fall of Clotha or Glota, which is a streame not to be shortlie intreated of. It riseth a|mong certeine hilles, which lie not far distant from the confines of Merioneth and Denbighshires. Southeast from his fall, and hauing run foure or fiue miles from the head, it commeth about to Darwen, taking in the Maniton on the left hand,Maniton. and the Mes|pin on the right: and soone after the third from by|west, whose head is not farre from Gloucanocke. Beneath Ruthen also it taketh in the Leueneie: and after that another, and the third, all on the right hand,Cluedoch. and so holdeth on till it méet with the Clue|doch, then with the Ystrade, which passeth by Whit|church on the left hand. After which we come to the Whéeler on the right, and so to his ioining with the Elwie, which is beneath S. Asaphes, a bishops sée that is inuironed with them both.Elwie. This Elwie ri|seth aboue Gwitherne, & beneath Lanuair taketh in the Alode, which commeth from lin Alode, by Lan|fannan, and ioineth with him fiue miles beneath Langrenew. The Cluda therefore and the Elwie being met, the confluence passeth on to the sea by Rutland castell, where it taketh in the Sarne, which commeth from by east, and hath a course almost of sixteene miles. From hence we tooke sea toward the Dée mouth: and as we passed by the rest of the shore, we saw the fall of a little brooke néere Basing Werke, of another néere to Flint, of the third at Yowleie castell, which with his two armes in maner includeth it; and the fourth beneath Hawarden hold, which in like sort goeth round about the same, & from whence we came to the Dée, where we landed and tooke vp our lodging in Chester. In this place also it was no hard matter to deliuer & set downe the names of such riuers and streames as are also to be found in Angleseie, finding my selfe to haue some leasure and fit opportunitie for the same: and i|magining a iourneie thither also, as vnto the other places mentioned in this description, whither as yet it hath not béene my hap to trauell: I thought it not amisse to take it also in hand, and performe it after this maner.

Ferrieng therefore ouer out of Carnaruon|shire to Beaumarise, I went by land without cros|sing of anie riuer or streame worthie memorie, till I came to the Brant, which hath his fall not farre from the southest point of that Iland. This Brant riseth farre vp in the land, not farre from Lauredenell, and holding on his course southward to Lanthoniell Uaall, it goeth on to Bodoweruch, Langainwen, and so into the sea.

The next fall we came vnto was called Maltrath, and it is producted by the confluence of two riuers, the Geuennie and the Gint, who ioine not farre from Langrestoll. This also last rehearsed hath his head neere to Penmoneth, the other being forked riseth in the hillie soile aboue Tregaion and Langwithlog: so that part of the Iland obteineth no small commodi|tie and benefit by their passage. Next vnto this we came vnto the Fraw,Fraw. whose head is neere to Langi|newen, and passage by Cap Maer; after which it falleth into a lake, from whence it goeth east of Aber|fraw, and so into the sea. The next riuer hath no name to my knowledge: yet hath it a longer course than that which I last described. For it riseth two or thrée miles aboue Haneglosse: and passing from thence to Treualghmaie, after the descent of foure miles, it falleth into the sea. After this we came to an other, which riseth more to Cap legan ferwie, and falleth in|to the sea; southeast of the little Iland, which is called Ynis Wealt, it is namelesse also as the other was: and therefore hauing small delight to write thereof, we passed ouer the salt créeke by a bridge into Cair Kibie, which by the same, is as it were cut from the maine Iland, and in some respect not vn|worthie to be taken for an Ile. In the north side therefore of Cair Kibie is a little rill or créeke: but whether the water thereof be fresh or salt, as yet I doo not remember.

This place being viewed, I came backe againe by the aforesaid bridge, into the maine of Angleseie, and going northwards I find a fall inforced by thrée riuerets, each one hauing his course almost south from other; and the last falling into the confluence of the two first, not halfe a mile from the west, where I first espied the streame: the name of the most nor|therlie is Linon,Linon. of the second Allo;Allo. but the third is altogither namelesse for aught that I can learne, wherefore it shall not be necessarie to spend anie time in the further searching of his course. Being past this, we went northwards till we came to the point, and then going eastward, we butted vpon the fall of a certeine confluence growing by the ioining of the Nathanon and the Geger, which méet beneath and néere to the Langechell. And after the same we pas|sed on somewhat declining southward by the Hilla|rie point, toward the southeast, till we came to the Dulesse: and from thence to Pentraeth water: af|ter which we turned northward, then eastward; and finallie southward, till we came to Langurdin; from whence vnto Beaumarise (where began our voiage) we find not anie water worthie to be re|membred. And thence I go forward with the descrip|tion of the Dee.

The Dee or Deua (as Ptolomie calleth it) is a noble riuer,Dée or Deua. & breeder of the best trout, whose head is in Me|rioneth shire, about thrée miles aboue the lake, situate in the countie of Penthlin, and called Lin Tegnis, whose streame yet verie small, by reason of the short|nesse of his course, falleth into the said lake, not far from Lanullin. There are sundrie other waters which come also into the said lake, which is foure or flue miles in length, and about two miles ouer; as one from by south, whose fall is east, and not manie fur|longs from the Dee: another hath his issue into the same by Langower: the third on the north side of Lanullin, named Leie: the fourth at Glanlintegid called the Iauerne, the lake it selfe ending about Bala,Trowerin. and from thence running into the Trowerin, a pretie streame, and not a little augmented by the Kelme and Monach which fall by north into the same, and ioineth with the Dée south of Lanuair; from whence forth it looseth the name, and is afterward cal|led Dée. East of Bala in like sort, it receiueth the Ruddoch, then the Cleton, and so passing on by Land|right to Langar,Ruddoch. it méeteth with a confluence pro|céeding from the Alwen and the Giron,Cleton. of which this riseth in the hils aboue Langham, the other in the mounteins about fiue or six miles by northwest of Lanihangle in Denbighshire, where (as I gesse) it falleth into the ground; and afterward rising againe betwéene Lanihangle and Bettus, it holdeth on a|bout two miles, and then ioineth with the Giron, full six miles aboue Dole, and before it come to the Dee. From hence the Dee goeth by Lansanfraid, and the marches of Merioneth into Denbighshire, and so to Langellon, Dinas, Bren, &c: kéeping his course by certeine windlesses;Gristioneth. till he receiue the Gristioneth, descending by Ru illegible bon, then another est of the same; the third,Keriog. from by west called Keriog (whose head is not farre from the bounds of Merioneth and course by Lanarmon, Lansanfraid, and Chirke) the fourth from south east out of Shropshire, called Morlais, and so passeth as bounds betwéene Denbighshire, and the Outliggand of Flintshire, to wit by Bistocke on the one side and Bangor on the other, till it come to Worthenburie: whereabout it receiueth a chanell descending from foure influences, of which one com|meth by Penlie chappell, the second from Hamnere, which goeth downe by Emberhall, and falleth in a little by east of the other; the third from Blackmere (by Whitchurch) &c: and the fourth from betwéene Chad and Worsall. These two later méeting aboue nether Durtwich, doo hold on to Talerne, as mine information instructeth me.

From Wrothenburie the Dee goeth northwest|wards toward Shocklige, méeting by the waie with the confluence of the CluedochCluedoch. (or Dedoch originall mother to those trouts for which the Dée is commen|ded) and descendeth from Capell Moinglath) and the Gwinrogh,Gwinrogh. that runneth through Wrexham, both ioining a mile and more beneath Wrexham, not far from Hantwerne. Soone after also our maine riuer receiueth another becke from by east, which is bound on the northwest side to the Outliggand of Flint|shire, and so passeth on betwéene Holt castell and Ferneton, Almere and Pulton, as march betwéene Denbighshire and Cheshire, and then taketh in the Alannus or Alen;Alannus. a pretie riuer and worthie to be described. The head of this Alen the refore is in Den|bighshire, and so disposed that it riseth in two seue|rall places, ech being two miles from other, the one called Alen Mawr, the other Alen Uehan, as I doo find reported. They méet also beneath Landegleie, and run northwards till they come beyond Lanuer|res, where meeting with a rill comming from by west, it runneth on to the Mold to Horsheth, and so in and out to Greseford, taking the Cagidog from southwest with it by the waie; then to Traue Alen, and so into the Dée, a mile and more aboue the fall of Powton becke, which also descendeth from south|west out of Flintshire, and is march vnto the same, euen from the verie head. After which confluence the Dée hauing Chestershire on both sides, goeth to Ald|ford with a swift course, where it méeteth with the Beston brooke, whereof I doo find this description following.

The Beston water riseth in the wooddie soile be|twéeneBeston. Spruston and Beston castell with a forked head, and leauing Beston towne on the northeast, it goeth to Tarneton, and to Hakesleie, where it di|uideth it selfe in such wise, that one branch thereof runneth by Totnall, Goldburne, and Léehall, to Alford, and so into the Dée, the other by Stapleford, Terwine, Barrow, Picton, and Therton, where it brancheth againe, sending foorth one arme by Stan|neie poole, and the parke side into Merseie arme, toward the northwest, and another by southwest, which commeth as it were backe againe, by Stoke, Croughton, Backeford, Charleton, Upton, the Baites, and so vnder a bridge to Chester ward, where it falleth into the Dée arme at Flockes brooke, excluding Wirall on the northwest as an Iland, which lieth out like a leg betwéene the Merseie and the Dée armes, and including and making another fresh Iland within the same, whose limits by north|west are betwéene Thorneton, Chester, & Aldford, on the northeast Thorneton and Hakesleie, and on the southeast Hakesleie and Aldford, whereby the forme thereof dooth in part resemble a triangle. And thus much of the Dee, which is a troublesome streame when the wind is at southwest, and verie dangerous, in so much that few dare passe thereon. Sometimes also in haruest time it sendeth downe such store of water, when the wind bloweth in the same quarter, that it drowneth all their grasse and corne that gro|weth in the lower grounds néere vnto the bankes thereof. Certes it is about thrée hundred foot, at his departure from the Tignie, and worthilie called a litigious streame; because that by often alteration of chanell, it inforceth men to séeke new bounds vnto their lands, for here it laieth new ground, and there translateth and taketh awaie the old, so that there is nothing more vnconstant than the course of the said water. Of the monasterie Bangor also, by which it passeth after it hath left Orton bridge, I find this note, which I will not omit, because of the slaughter of monks made sometime néere vnto the same. For although the place require it not, yet I am not willing altogither to omit it.

This abbeie of Bangor stood sometime in Eng|lish Mailor,The situation of ye monaste|rie of Bangor. by hither and south of the riuer Dée. It is now ploughed ground where that house stood, by the space of a Welsh mile (which reacheth vnto a mile and an halfe English) and to this day the tillers of the soile there doo plow vp bones (as they saie) of those monks that were slaine in the quarrell of Au|gustine, and within the memorie of man some of them were taken vp in their rotten weeds, which were much like vnto those of our late blacke monks, as Leland set it downe: yet Erasmus is of the opini|on, that the apparell of the Benedictine monks was such as most men did weare generallie at their first institution. But to proceed. This abbeie stood in a val|leie, and in those times the riuer ran hard by it. The compasse thereof likewise was as the circuit of a walled towne, and to this daie two of the gates may easilie be discerned, of which the one is named Port Hogan lieng by north, the other Port Clais situat vpon the south. But the Dée hauing now changed his chanell, runneth through the verie middest of the house betwixt those two gates, the one being at the left a full halfe mile from the other. As for the squa|red stone that is found hereabout, and the Romane coine, there is no such necessitie of the rehersall ther|of, but that I may passe it ouer well inough without anie further mention.

Being past the Dée we sailed about Wirall, pas|sing by Hibrie or Hilbrée Iland, and Leuerpole, Nasse, making our entrie into Merseie arme by Le|uerpole hauen, where we find a water falling out be|twéene Seacombe and the Ferie, which dooth in ma|ner cut off the point from the maine of Wirall. For rising néere to the northwest shore, it holdeth a course directlie toward the southeast by Wallaseie and Po|ton, and so leaueth all the north part beyond that wa|ter a peninsula, the same being three square, inuiro|ned on two sides with the Ocean, & on the third with the aforesaid brooke, whose course is well néere three miles except I be deceiued. Frõ hence entring fur|ther into the hauen, we find another fall betwéene Bebington and Brombro chappell, descending from the hilles, which are seene to lie not farre from the shore, and thence crossing the fall of the Beston wa|ter, we come next of all vnto the Wiuer,Wiuer. than the which I read of no riuer in England that fetcheth more or halfe so many windlesses and crinklings, before it come at the sea. It riseth at Buckle hilles, which lie betwéene Ridleie and Buckle townes, and soone after making a lake of a mile & more in length called Ridleie poole, it runneth by Ridleie to Chal|mondlie.

Thence it goeth to Wrenburie, where it taketh in a water out of a moore that commeth from Marbu|rie: and beneth Sandford bridge the Combrus from Combermer or Comber lake:Combrus. and finallie the third that commeth from about Moneton, and runneth by Langerslaw, then betweene Shenton and Atherlie parkes, and so into the Wiuer, which watereth all the west part of England, and is no lesse notable than the first Auon or third Duze, whereof I haue spoken alreadie. After these confluences it hasteth also to Audlem, Hawklow, and at Barderton crosseth the Betleie water,Betleie. that runneth by Duddington, Wid|denberie, and so by Barderton into the aforesaid streame. Thence it goeth to Nantwich, but yer it come at Marchford bridge, it meeteth with a rill cal|led Salopbrooke (as I gesse) comming from Caluer|leie ward,Salop. and likewise beneath the said bridge,Lée and Wul|uarne. with the Lée and the Wuluarne both in one chanell, wher|of the first riseth at Weston, the other goeth by Cop|nall. From thence the Wiuer runneth on to Min|chion and Cardeswijc, and the next water that fal|leth into it is the AsheAshe. (which passeth by Darnall Grange) and afterward going to Warke, the vale Roiall, and Eaton, it commeth finallie to North|wich where it receiueth the Dane, to be described as followeth.Dane. The Dane riseth in the verie edges of Chester, Darbishire, & Staffordshire, and comming by Warneford, Swithamleie and Bosleie, is a li|mit betwéene Stafford and Darbie shires, almost e|uen from the verie head, which is in Maxwell forrest.

It is not long also yer it doo méet with the Bidle water,Bidle. that commeth by Congerton, and after the confluence goeth vnto Swetham, the Heremitage, Cotton and Croxton, there taking in two great waters,Whelocke. whereof the one is called Whelocke, which comming from the edge of the countie by Morton to Sandbach, crosseth another that descendeth from church Cawhlton, and after the confluence goeth to Warmingham, ioining also beneath Midlewish with the Croco or Croxston, the second great water, whose head commeth out of a lake aboue Bruerton (as I heare) and thence both the Whelocke and the Croco go as one vnto the Dane,Croco. at Croxton, as the Dane dooth from thence to Bostocke, Dauen|ham, Shebruch, Shurlach, and at Northwich into the foresaid Wiuer. After this confluence the Wiuer runneth on to Barneton, and there in like sort recei|ueth two brookes in one chanell, whereof one com|meth from aboue Allostocke, by Holme & Lastocke, the other from beyond Birtles mill,Piuereie. by Chelford (where it taketh in a rill called Piuereie) thence to ouer Peuer,Waterlesse. Holford, and there crossing the Water|lesse brooke (growing of two becks and ioining at nether Tableie) it goeth foorth to Winshambridge, and then méeting with the other, after this conflu|ence they procéed till they come almost at Barne|ton, where the said chanell ioineth with a pretie water running thorough two lakes, whereof the greatest lieth betwéene Comberbach, Rudworth and Marbu|rie. But to go forward with the course of the maine riuer. After these confluences our Wiuer goeth to Warham, Actonbridge, and Dutton, ouer against which towne, on the other side it méeteth with a rill, comming from Cuddington: also the second going by Norleie, and Gritton, finallie the third soone after from Kimfleie, and then procéedeth on in his passage by Asheton chappell, Frodesham, Rockesauage, and so into the sea: and this is all that I doo find of the Wiuer, whose influences might haue beene more largelie set downe, if mine iniunctions had béene amplie deliuered, yet this I hope may suffice for his description, and knowledge of his course.

The Merseie riseth among the Peke hils,Merseie. and from thence going downe to the Woodhouse, and taking sundrie rilles withall by the waie, it becommeth the confines betwéene Chester and Darbishires. Go|ing also toward Goitehall,Goite. it méeteth with a faire brooke increased by sundrie waters called Goite, whereof I find this short and briefe description. The Goite riseth not far from the Shire méere hill (where|in the Doue and the Dane haue their originall) that parteth Darbishire and Chestershire in sunder, and thence commeth downe to Goite houses, Ouerton, Taxhall, Shawcrosse, and at Weibridge taketh in the Frith,Frith. and beneath Berdhall, the SetSet. that riseth aboue Thersethall and runneth by Ouerset. After this confluence also the Merseie goeth to Goite hall, & at Stockford or Stopford towne méeteth with the Tame,Tame. which diuideth Chestershire and Lancaster|shire in sunder, and whose head is in the verie edge of Yorkeshire, from whence it goeth southward to Sadleworth Firth, then to Mukelhirst, Stalie hall, Ashdon Underline, Dunkenfield, Denton, Reddish, and so at Stockford into the Merseie streame, which passeth foorth in like sort to Diddesbirie, receiuing a brooke by the waie that commeth from Lime parke, by Brumhall parke and Chedle.

From Diddesbirie it procéedeth to Norden,Irwell. Ash|ton, Aiston, Flixston, where it receiueth the Irwell a notable water, and therefore his description is not to be omitted before I doo go forward anie further with the Merseie, although it be not nauigable by reason of sundrie rockes and shalowes that lie dispersed in the same. It riseth aboue Bacop, and goeth thence to Rosendale, and in the waie to Aitenfield it taketh in a water from Haselden. After this confluence it go|eth to Newhall, Brandlesham, Brurie, and aboue Ratcliffe ioineth with the Rache water, Raeus, or Rache. a faire streame and to be described when I haue finished the Irwell, as also the next vnto it beneath Ratcliffe, bi|cause I would not haue so manie ends at once in hand wherewith to trouble my readers. Being ther|fore past these two, our Irwell goeth on to Clifton, Leland spea|keth of the Corue water about Man|chester; but I know nothing of his course. Hollond, Edgecroft, Strengwaies, and to Manche|ster, where it vniteth it selfe with the Yrke,Yrke. that run|neth thereinto by Roiton Midleton, Heaton hill, and Blackeleie. Beneath Manchester also it méeteth with the Medlocke,Medlocke. that commeth thither from the northeast side of Oldham, and betwéene Claiton and Garret Halles, and so betwéene two parkes, falling into it about Holne. Thence our Irwell go|ing forward to Woodsall, Whicleswt illegible c, Ecles Bar|ton, and Deuelhom, it falleth néere vnto Flixton, in|to the water of Merseie, where I will staie a while withall, till I haue brought the other vnto some passe, of which I spake before.

The Rache,Rache. Rach or Rish consisteth of sundrie wa|ters, whereof ech one in maner hath a proper name, but the greatest of all is Rache it selfe, which riseth a|mong the blacke stonie hils, from whence it goeth to Littlebrough, and being past Clegge, receiueth the Beile,Beile. that commeth thither by Milneraw chappell. After this confluence also, it méeteth with a rill néere vnto Rachedale, and soone after with the SprottonSprotton. water, and then the SudleieSudleie. brooke, whereby his cha|nell is not a little increased, which goeth from thence to Grisehirst and so into the Irewell, before it come at Ratcliffe.Bradsha. The second streame is called Bradsha. It riseth of two heds, aboue Tureton church, whence it runneth to Bradsha, and yer long taking in the Walmesleie becke,Walmesleie. they go in one chanell till they come beneath Bolton in the More. From hence (re|ceiuing a water that commeth from the roots of Ra|uenpike hill by the way) it goeth by Deane and Bol|ton in the More, and so into Bradsha water, which ta|keth his waie to Leuermore, Farnworth, Leuer|lesse, and finallie into the Irwell, which I before de|scribed, and whereof I find these two verses to be ad|ded at the last: Irke, Irwell, Medlocke, and Tame, When they meet with the Merseie, do loose their name.

Now therefore to resume our Merseie, you shall vnderstand that after his confluence with the Ir|well, he runneth to Partington, and not farre from thence interteineth the Gles,Gles. or Glesbrooke water, increased with sundrie armes, wherof one commeth from Lodward, another from aboue Houghton, the third from Hulton parke, and the fourth from Sha|kerleie: and being all vnited néere vnto Leigh, the confluence goeth to Holcroft, and aboue Holling gréene into the swift Merseie. After this increase the said streame in like sort runneth to Rigston, & there admitteth the Bollein or Bolling brooke water intoBolleiu brooke. his societie, which rising néere the Chamber in Max|well forrest goeth to Ridge, Sutton, Bollington, Prestbirie, and Newton, where it taketh in a water comming from about Pot Chappell, which runneth from thence by Adlington, Woodford, Wimesleie, Ringeie,Birkin. and Ashleie, there receiuing the Birkin brooke that commeth from betwéene Allerton and Marchall, by Mawberleie, and soone after the Ma|rus or Mar,Mar. that commeth thereinto from Mar towne, by Rawstorne, and after these confluences goeth on to Downham, and ouer against Rixton beneath Crosford bridge into the Merseie water, which procéeding on, admitteth not another that mée|teth with all néere Lim before it go to Thelwall. Thence also it goeth by Bruche and so to Warring|ton, a little beneath crossing a brooke that commeth from Par by Browseie, Bradleie, and Saukeie on the one side, and another on the other that commeth thither from Gropenhall, and with these it runneth on to nether Walton, Acton grange, and so to Pen|kith, where it interteineth the Bold,Bold. and soone after the GrundichGrundich. water on the other side, that passeth by Preston, and Daresbirie. Finallie our Merseie go|ing by Moulton, it falleth into Lirepoole, or as it was called of old Liuerpoole hauen, when it is past Run|corne. And thus much of the Merseie, comparable vnto the Wiuer, and of no lesse fame than most ri|uers of this Iland.

Being past these two, we come next of all to the Tarbocke water,Tarbocke. that falleth into the sea at Har|bocke, without finding anie mo till we be past all Wirall, out of Lirepoole hauen, and from the blacke rockes that lie vpon the north point of the aforesaid Iland. Then come we to the Altmouth,Alt or Ast. whose fresh rising not far into the land, commeth to Feston, and soone after receiuing another on the right hand, that passeth into it by Aughton, it is increased no more before it come at the sea. Neither find I anie other falles till I méet with the mouth of the Yarrow and Duglesse, which haue their recourse to the sea in one chanell as I take it.Duglesse or Duiesse. The Duglesse commeth from by west of Rauenspike hill, and yer long runneth by Andertonford to Worthington, and so (taking in two or thrée rilles by the waie) to Wigen, where it receiueth two waters in one chanell, of which one commeth in south from Brin parke, the other from northeast. Being past this, it receiueth one on the north side from Standish, and another by south from Hollond, and then goeth on toward Rufford chappell taking the Taud withall, that descendeth from a|boue Skelmersdale towne,Tand or Skelinere. and goeth through La|than parke, belonging (as I heare) vnto the earle of Derbie.Merton. It méeteth also on the same side, with Mer|ton meere water, in which meere is one Iland called Netholme beside other, and when it is past the hang|ing bridge, it is not long yer it fall into the Yarrow.

The YarrowYarrow. riseth of two heads, whereof the se|cond is called BagenBagen. brooke, and making a conflu|ence beneath Helbie wood, it goeth on to Burgh, E|glestan, Crofton, and then ioineth next of all with the Dugglesse, after which confluence, the maine streame goeth foorth to Bankehall, Charleton, How, Hesket, and so into the sea. Leland writing of the Yarrow, saith thus of the same, so farre as I now remember. Into the Dugglesse also runneth the Yarrow, which commeth within a mile or therea|bout of Chorleton towne, that parteth Lelandshire from Derbieshire. Under the foot of Chorle also I find a rill named Ceorle, and about a mile and a halfe from thence a notable quarreie of stones, whereof the inhabitants doo make a great boast and price. And hitherto Leland.

The Ribble,Ribble. a riuer verie rich of salmon and Iam|preie, dooth in manner inuiron Preston in Ander|nesse, and it riseth neere to Kibbesdale aboue Gis|borne, from whence it goeth to Sawleie or Salleie, Chathburne, Woodington, Clithero castell,Odder. and be|neath Mitton méeteth the Odder at northwest, which riseth not farre from the crosse of Gréet in Yorke|shire, and going thence to Shilburne, Newton, Rad|holme parke, and Stonie hirst, it falleth yer long in|to the Ribble water. From hence the Ribble wa|ter hath not gone farre,Calder. but it méeteth with the Cal|der from southeast. This brooke riseth aboue Holme church in Yorkeshire, which lieth by east of Lanca|stershire, and goeth by Towleie and Burneleie, where it receiueth a trifling rill, thence to Higham, and yer long crossing one water that commeth from Wicoler by Colne, and another by and by named Pidle brooke,Pidle. that runneth by New church in the Pi|dle, it méeteth with the Calder, which passeth foorth to Paniam; and thence receiuing a becke on the o|ther side, it runneth on to Altham, and so to Mar|tholme,Henburne. where the Henburne brooke dooth ioine with|all, that goeth by Akington chappell, Dunkinhalgh, Rishton, and so into the Calder, as I haue said be|fore. The Calder therefore being thus inlarged, runneth foorth to Reade, where maister Nowell dwelleth, to Whallie, and soone after into Ribble, that goeth from this confluence to Salisburie hall, Rib|chester, Osbastin, Samburie, Keuerden, Law, Rib|bles bridge, & then taketh in the Darwent,Darwent. before it goeth by Pontwarth or Pentwarth into the maine sea. The Darwent diuideth Lelandshire from An|dernesse, and it riseth by east aboue Darwent chap|pell; and soone after vniting it selfe with the Blacke|burne, and Rodlesworth water,Blackeburne Rodlesworth. it goeth through Houghton parke, by Houghton towne, to Walton hall, and so into the Ribble. As for the Sannocke brooke,Sannocke. it riseth somewhat aboue Longridge chappell, goeth to Broughton towne, Cotham, Lée hall, and so into Ribble. And here is all that I haue to saie of this riuer.

The Wire riseth eight or ten miles from Gar|stan,Wire. out of an hill in Wiresdale forrest, from whence it runneth by Shireshed chappell, and then going by Wadland, or Waddiler, Grenelaw castell (which belongeth to the erle of Darbie) Garstan, and Kirk|land hall, it first receiueth the second Calder, that commeth downe by Edmerseie chappell, then ano|ther chanell increased with sundrie waters,Calder. 2. which I will here describe before I procéed anie further with the Wire. I suppose that the first water is called Plimpton brooke, it riseth south of Gos illegible er, and com|meth by Cawford hall,Plimpton. and yer long receiuing the BartonBarton. becke, it procéedeth forward till it ioineth with the Brooke rill that commeth from Bowland forrest,Brooke. by Clanghton hall, where master Brooke-hales dooth lie, & so through Mersco forrest. After this confluence the Plime or Plimpton water mée|teth with the Calder, and then with the Wire, which passeth foorth to Michaell church, and the Raw cliffes, and aboue Thorneton crosseth the Skipton that go|eth by Potton, then into the Wire rode,Skipton. and finallie through the sands into the sea, according to his na|ture. When we were past the fall of the Wire, we coasted vp by the salt cotes, to Coker mouth,Coker. whose head, though it be in Weresdale forrest, not far from that of the Wire, yet the shortnesse of course deser|ueth no description. The next is Cowdar,Cowdar. which is comming out of Wire dale, as I take it, is not in|creased with anie other waters more than Coker, and therefore I will rid my hands thereof so much we sooner.

Being past these two,Lune. I came to a notable ri|uer called the Lune or Loine, or (as the booke of sta|tutes hath) Lonwire Anno 13 Ric. 2. cap. 19, and gi|ueth name to Lancaster, Lonecaster, or Luneca|ster, where much Romane monie is found, and that of diuerse stamps, whose course dooth rest to be de|scribed as followeth; and whereof I haue two de|scriptions. The first being set downe by Leland, as master Moore of Catharine hall in Cambridge deli|uered it vnto him. The next I exhibit as it was gi|uen vnto me, by one that hath taken paines (as he saith) to search out and view the same, but verie late|lie to speake of. The Lune (saith master Moore) of some commonlie called the Loine, riseth at Crosse|ho, in Dent dale, in the edge of Richmondshire out of thrée heads. North also from Dent dale is Gars|dale, an vplandish towne, wherein are séene manie times great store of red déere that come downe to feed from the mounteins into the vallies, and there|by runneth a water, which afterward commeth to Sebbar vale, where likewise is a brooke méeting with Garsdale water, so that a little lower they go as one into Dent dale becke, which is the riuer that afterward is called Lune, or Lane, as I haue verie often noted it. Beside these waters also before men|tioned, it receiueth at the foot of Sebbar vale, a great brooke, which commeth out of the Worth, betwéene Westmerland and Richmondshire, which taking with him the aforesaid chanels, dooth run seauen miles yer it come to Dent dale foot. From hence it entreth into Lansdale, corruptlie so called, perad|uenture for Lunesdale, & runneth therein eight or nine miles southward, and in this dale is Kirbie. Hi|therto master Moore, as Leland hath exemplified that parcell of his letters. But mine other note wri|teth hereof in this manner.Burdecke. Burbecke water riseth at Wustall head, by west, and going by Wustall foot to Skaleg,Breder. it admitteth the Breder that descen|deth thither from Breder dale. From hence our Burbecke goeth to Breder dale foot, & so to Tibarie, where it méeteth with foure rilles in one bottome, of which one commeth from besides Oxton, another from betwéene Rasebecke and Sunbiggin, the third and fourth from each side of Langdale: and after the generall confluence made, goeth toward Round|swath,Barrow. aboue which it vniteth it selfe with the Bar|row. Thence it runneth to Howgill, Delaker, Firrebanke, and Killington, beneath which it mee|teth with a water comming from the Moruill hilles, and afterward crossing the Dent brooke,Dent. that run|neth thither from Dent towne, beneath Sebbar, they continue their course as one into the Burbecke, from whence it is called Lune. From hence it go|eth to Burbon chappell, where it taketh in ano|ther rill comming from by east, then to Kirbie, Lansdale, and aboue Whittenton crosseth a brooke comming from the countie stone by Burros, and soone after beneath Tunstall and Greteie,Greteie. which des|cending from about Ingelborow hill, passeth by Twiselton, Ingleton, Thorneton, Burton, Wrat|ton, and néere Thurland castell, toucheth finallie with the Lune, which brancheth, and soone after vniteth it selfe againe. After this also it goeth on toward New parke,Wennie. and receiueth the Wennie, and the HinburneHinburne. both in one chanell, of which this riseth north of the crosse of Greteie, and going by Benthams and Ro|berts hill, aboueRheburne. Wraie taketh in the Rheburne that riseth north of Wulfecrag. After this conflu|ence also aboue New parke, it maketh his gate by Aughton, Laughton, Skirton, Lancaster, Excliffe, Awcliffe, Soddaie, Orton, and so into the sea. Thus haue you both the descriptions of Lune, make your conference or election at your pleasure, for I am sworne to neither of them both.

The next fall is called Docker,Docker. and peraduen|ture the same that Leland dooth call the Kerie,Kerie. which is not farre from Wharton, where the rich Kitson was borne, it riseth north of Docker towne, and go|ing by Barwtjc hall, it is not increased before it come at the sea, where it falleth into the Lune water at Lunesands. Next of all we come to Bitham becke, which riseth not far from Bitham towne and parke, in the hilles, where about are great numbers of goates kept and mainteined, and by all likelihood resorteth in the end to Linsands.

Being past this, we find a forked arme of the sea called Kensands: into the first of which diuerse waters doo run in one chanell, as it were from foure principall heads, one of them comming from Grar|rig hall, another frõ by west of Whinfield, & ioining with the first on the east side of Skelmere parke. The third called Sprot or Sprota riseth at Slod|dale,Sprota. & commeth downe by west of Skelmer parke, so that these two brookes haue the aforesaid parke betwéene them, & fall into the fourth east of Barne|side, not verie farre in sunder. The fourth or last cal|led Ken, commeth from Kentmers side,Ken. out of Ken moore, in a poole of a mile compasse, verie well stored with fish, the head whereof, as of all the baronie of Kendall is in Westmerland, & going to Stauelope, it taketh in a rill from Chappleton Inges. Then lea|uing Colnehead parke by east, it passeth by Barne|side, to Kendall, Helston, Sigath, Siggeswijc, Le|uenbridge, Milnethorpe, and so into the sea. Certes this Ken is a pretie déepe riuer, and yet not safelie to be aduentured vpon, with boates and balingers, by reason of rolling stones, & other huge substances that off annoie & trouble the middest of the chanell there.Winstar. The other péece of the forked arme, is called Winstar, the hed wherof is aboue Winstar chappell, & going downe almost by Carpmaunsell, & Nether|slake, it is not long yer it fall into the sea, or sands, for all this coast, & a gulfe from the Ramside point to the Mealenasse, is so pestered with sands, that it is al|most incredible to sée how they increase. Those also which inuiron the Kenmouth, are named Kensands: but such as receiue the descent from the Fosse, Wi|nander, and Sparke, are called Leuesands, as I find by sufficient testimonie. The mouth or fall of the Dodon also is not farre from this impechment: wherefore it is to be thought, that these issues will yer long become verie noisome, if not choked vp al|togither. The Winander water riseth about Cim|barlrasestones,Winander. from whence it goeth to Cangridge, where it maketh a méere: then to Ambleside, and ta|king in yer it come there, two rilles on the left hand, and one on the right that commeth by Claper|gate, it maketh (as I take it) the greatest méere, or fresh water in England; for I read it is ten miles in length. Finallie, comming to one small chanell a|boue Newbridge, it reacheth not aboue six miles yer fall into the sea. There is in like sort a water, cal|led the Fosse that riseth néere vnto Arneside,Fosse. and Tillerthwates, and goeth foorth by Grisdale, Satre|thwate, Rusland, Powbridge, Bowth, and so falleth with the Winander water into the maine sea. On the west side of the Fosse also commeth another through Furnesse felles, and from the hilles by north thereof, which yer long making the Thurstan lake not far from Hollinhow, and going by Bridge end, in a narrow chanell, passeth foorth by Nibthwaits, Blareth, Cowlton, & Sparke bridge, and so into the sea.Sparke. Hauing passed the Leuen or Conisands, or Co|nistonesands, or Winander fall (for all is one) I come to the Lew,Lew. which riseth at Cewike chappell, and falleth into the sea beside Plumpton. The RawtherRawther. descending out of low Furnesse, hath two heads, whereof one commeth from Penniton, the other by Ulmerstone abbeie, and ioining both in one chanell, they hasten into the sea, whither all waters direct their voiage,. Then come we to another rill south|west of Aldingham, descending by Glaiston castell; and likewise the fourth that riseth néere Lindell, and running by Dawlton castell and Furnesse abbeie, not farre from the Barrow head, it falleth into the sea ouer against Waueie and Waueie chappell, ex|cept mine aduertisements misleade me.

The Dodon,Dodon. which from the head is bound vn|to Cumberland and Westmerland, commeth from the Shire stone hill bottome, and going by Blacke|hill, Southwake, S. Iohns, Uffaie parke, & Brough|ton, it falleth into the faltwater, betwéene Kirbie, and Mallum castell. And thus are we now come vnto the Rauenglasse point, and well entred into Cum|berland countie.

Comming to Rauenglasse, I find hard by the towne a water comming from two heads, and both of them in lakes or pooles, whereof one issueth out of Denocke or Deuenocke méere,Denocke. and is called De|nocke water, the other named Eske from Eske poole which runneth by Eskedale, Dalegarth, and soone af|ter meeting with the Denocke,Eske. betwéene Maw|burthwate and Rauenglasse, falleth into the sea. On the other side of Rauenglasse also commeth the Mite brooke,Mite. from Miterdale as I read. Then find we an|other which commeth from the hils, and at the first is forked, but soone after making a lake, they gather a|gaine into a smaller chanell: finallie meeting with the Brenge,Brenge. they fall into the sea at Carleton south|east, as I wéene of Drig. The Cander,Cander. or (as Leland nameth it) the Calder, commeth out of Copeland for|rest, by Cander, Sellefield, and so into the sea. Then come we to Euer water, descending out of a poole a|boue Coswaldhow, and thence going by Euerdale, it crosseth a water from Arladon, and after procéedeth to Egremond, S. Iohns, and taking in another rill from Hide, it is not long yer it méeteth with the sea.

The next fall is at Moresbie, whereof I haue no skill. From thence therefore we cast about by saint Bees to Derwentset hauen, whose water is truelie written Dargwent or Deruent.Dargwent. It riseth in the hils about Borrodale, from whence it goeth vnto the Grange, thence into a lake, in which are certeine I|lands, and so vnto Keswtjc, where it falleth into the Bure, whereof the said lake is called Bursemere,Burthméere. or the Burthmere poole. In like sort the Bure or Burth|mere water, rising among the hils goeth to Tegbur|thesworth, Forneside, S. Iohns, and Threlcoe: and there méeting with a water from Grisdale, by Wa|kethwate, called Grise, it runneth to Burnesse,Grise. Kes|wtjc, and there receiueth the Darwent. From Kes|wtjc in like sort it goeth to Thorneswate (and there making a plash) to Armanswate, Isell, Huthwate and Cokermouth,Cokar. and here it receiueth the Cokar, which rising among the hils commeth by Lowse|water, Brakenthwate, Lorton, and so to Cokar|mouth towne, from whence it hasteth to Bridge|ham, and receiuing a rill called the Wire, on the south side that runneth by Dein, it leaueth Sam|burne and Wirketon behind it, and entereth into the sea.

Leland saith that the Wire is a créeke where ships lie oft at rode,Wire. and that Wirketon or Wirkington towne dooth take his name thereof. He addeth also that there i illegible iron and coles, beside lead ore in Wire|dale. Neuerthelesse the water of this riuer is for the most part fore troubled, as comming through a sud|die or soddie more, so that little good fish is said to liue therein.Elmus. But to proceed. The Elme ri illegible eth in the mines aboue Amautrée, and from Amautre goeth to Yeresbie, Harbie, Brow, and there taking in a rill on the left hand comming by Torpennie, it goeth to Hatton castell, Alwarbie, Birthie, Dereham, and so into the sea. Thence we go about by the chappell at the point, and come to a baie serued with two fresh wa|ters, whereof one rising westward goeth by War|ton, Rabbie, Cotes, and so into the maine, taking in a rill withall from by south, called Croco, that com|meth from Crockdale, by Bromefield.Croco. The second is named Wampoole brooke,Uanius. & this riseth of two heads, whereof one is about Cardew. Thence in like sort it goeth to Thuresbie, Croston, Owton, Gamlesbie, Wampall, the Larth, and betwéene Whiteridge and Kirbie into the saltwater. From hence we double the Bowlnesse, and come to an estuarie, whither thrée notable riuers doo resort, and this is named the Sol|ueie mouth. But of all, the first excéedeth, which is cal|led Eden, and whose description dooth follow here at hand.

The Eden well fraught with famon,Eden. descendeth (as I heare) from the hils in Athelstane moore at the foot of Husstat Moruell hill, where Swale also riseth, and southeast of Mallerstang forrest. From thence in like maner it goeth to Mallerstang towne, Pen|dragon castell, Wharton hall, Netbie, Hartleie ca|stell, Kirkebie Stephan, and yer it come at great Musgrane, it receiueth thrée waters, whereof one is called Helbecke,Helbecke. bicause it commeth from the Derne and Elinge mounteins by a towne of the same de|nomination. The other is named Bellow,Bellow. and descen|deth from the east mounteins by Sowarsbie, & these two on the northeast: the third falleth from Rauen|standale, by Newbiggin, Smardale, Soulbie, Bla|terne, and so into Eden, that goeth from thence by Warcop;Orne. and taking in the Orne about Burelles on the one side, and the Morton becke on the other, it ha|steth to Applebie,Moreton. thence to Cowlbie, where it crosseth the Dribecke,Dribecke. thence to Bolton, and Kirbie, and there méeting with the Trowt becke,Trowt becke. and beneath the same with the LiuenetLinenet. (whereinto falleth an other water from Thurenlie méeting withall beneath Cle|bron) it runneth finallie into Eden. After the conflu|ences also the Eden passeth to Temple, and soone af|ter meeting with the Milburne and BlincorneMilburne. Blincorne. wa|ters, in one chanell, it runneth to Winderwarth and Hornebie, where we will staie till I haue described the water that meeteth withall néere the aforesaid place called the Ulse.Ulse.

This water commeth out of a lake, which is fed with six rils,Marke. whereof one is called the Marke, and néere the fall thereof into the plash is a towne of the same name;Harteshop. the second hight Harteshop, & runneth from Harteshop hall by Depedale; the third is Pa|terdalePaterdale. rill; the fourth Glent Roden,Roden. the fift Glenk|guin,Glenkguin. but the sixt runneth into the said lake, south of Towthwate. Afterward when this lake commeth to|ward Pole towne, it runneth into a small chanell, & going by Barton, Dalumaine, it taketh in a rill by the waie from Daker castell. Thence it goeth to Stockebridge, Yoneworth, and soone after méeteth with a pretie brooke called Loder,Loder. comming from Thornethwate by Bauton, and héere a rill; then by Helton, and there another; thence to Askham, Clif|ton, and so ioining with the other called Ulse, they go to Brougham castell, Nine churches, Hornebie, and so into Eden, taking in a rill (as it goeth) that com|meth downe from Pencath. Being past Hornebie, our Eden runneth to Langunbie, and soone after re|ceiuing a rill that commeth from two heads, and ioi|ning beneath Wingsell, it hasteth to Lasenbie, then to Kirke Oswald (on ech side whereof commeth in a rill from by east) thence to Nonneie, and there a rill, Anstable, Cotchill, Corbie castell, Wetherall, New|bie: where I will staie, till I haue described the Ir|ding, and such waters as fall into the same before I go to Carleill.

The Irding ariseth in a moore in the borders of Tindale,Irding. néere vnto Horsse head crag, where it is called Terne becke;Terne. vntill it come to Spicrag hill, that diuideth Northumberland and Gillesland in sunder, from whence it is named Irding. Being therfore come to Ouerhall, it receiueth the Pultrose becke,Pultrose. by east, and thence goeth on to Ouerdenton, Netherdenton, Leuercost, and Castelstead, where it taketh in the Cambocke,Cambocke. that runneth by Kirke Cambocke, Askerton castell, Walton, and so into Irding, which goeth from thence to Irdington, Newbie, & so into Eden. But a little before it come there,Gillie. it crosseth with the Gillie that commeth by Tankin, and soone after falleth into it. After these confluences, our Eden goeth to Linstocke castell, (and here it interteineth a brooke, comming from Cotehill ward by Aglionbie) and then vnto Car|leill, which is now almost inuironed with foure waters.

For beside the Eden it receiueth the Peder,Pedar aliàs Logus. which Leland calleth Logus from southeast. This Peder riseth in the hils southwest of Penruddocke, from whence it goeth to Penruddocke, then to Gra|stocke castell, Cateleie, and Kenderside hall, and then taking in a water from Unthanke, it goeth to Cath|wade, Pettrelwaie, Newbiggin, Carleton, and so into Eden, northeast of Carleill. But on the north side the Bruferth brooke dooth swiftlie make his en|trance, running by Leuerdale,Bruferth. Scalbie castell, and Housedon; as I am informed. The third is named Candan (if not Deua after Leland) which rising about the Skidlow hils, runneth to Mosedale, Caldbecke, Warnell, Saberham, Rose castell, Dawston, Brounston, Harrington, and west of Carleill falleth into Eden, which going from thence by Grimsdale, Kirke Andros, Beaumont, falleth into the sea be|neath the Rowcliffe castell. And thus much of the E|den, which Leland neuerthelesse describeth after an|other sort, whose words I will not let to set downe here in this place, as I find them in his commen|taries.

The Eden, after it hath run a pretie space from his head,Wise after Leland. méeteth in time with the Ulse water, which is a great brooke in Westmerland, and rising aboue Maredale, a mile west of Loder, it commeth by the late dissolued house of Shappe priorie,Loder. théee miles from Shappe, and by Brampton village into Loder or Lodon. Certes this streame within halfe a mile of the head, becommeth a great lake for two miles course, and afterward waxing narrow againe, it runneth foorth in a meane and indifferent bottome. The said Eden in like sort receiueth the Aimote a|bout thrée miles beneath Brougham castell,Aimote. and in|to the same Aimote falleth the Dacor becke (alreadie touched) which riseth by northwest in Materdale hils, foure miles aboue Dacor castell,Dacor. and then going through Dacor parke, it runneth by east a good mile lower into Eimote, a little beneath Delamaine, which standeth on the left side of Dacor. In one of his bookes also he saith, how Carleill standeth betwéene two streames,Deua. that is to saie the Deua, which com|meth thither from by southwest, and also the Logus tha descendeth from the southeast. He addeth more|ouer how the Deua in times past was named Uala or Bala,Uala. and that of the names of these two, Lugiba|la for Caerleill hath beene deriued, &c. and thus much out of Leland. But where he had the cause of this his coniecture as yet I haue not read. Of this am I cer|teine, that I vse the names of most riuers hete and else-where described, accordinglie as they are called in my time, although I omit not to speake here and there of such as are more ancient, where iust occasion mooueth me to remember them, for the better vn|derstanding of our histories, as they doo come to hand.

Blacke LeuenLeuen. and white Leuen waters, fall in|to the sea in one chanell, and with them the LamfordLamford. and the Eske,Eske. the last confluence being not a full mile from the maine sea. The white and blacke Leuen ioi|ning therfore aboue Bucknesse, the confluence goeth to Bracken hill, Kirkleuenton, and at TomuntTomunt. water meeteth with the Eske. In like sort the KirsopKirsop. ioining with the LiddeLidde. out of Scotland at Kirsop foot, running by Stangerdike side, Harlow, Hath|water, and taking in the Eske aboue the Mote, it looseth the former name, and is called Eske, vntill it come to the sea.

Hauing thus gone thorough the riuers of Eng|land, now it resteth that we procéed with those which are to be found vpon the Scotish shore, in such order as we best may, vntill we haue fetched a compasse about the same, and come vnto Barwike, whence af|terward it shall be easie for vs to make repaire vnto the Thames, from which we did set forward in the be|ginning of our voiage. The first riuer that I met withall on the Scotish coast,Eske. is the Eske, after I came past the Solueie, which hath his head in the Che|uiot hilles, runneth by Kirkinton, and falleth into the sea at Borow on the sands. This Eske hauing receiued the Ewis falleth into the Solueie first at Atterith. After this I passed ouer a little créeke from Kirthell, and so to Anand, whereof the vallie Anan|dale dooth séeme to take the name. There is also the Nide, whereof commeth Nidsdale, the Ken, the Dée, the Crale, and the Bladnecke, and all these (besides diuerse other small rilles of lesse name) doo lie vpon the south of Gallowaie.

On the north side also we haue the Ruan, the Arde, the Cassile Dune, the Burwin, the Cluide (where|vpon sometime stood the famous citie of Alcluide, and whereinto runneth the Carath) the Hamell, the Dourglesse, and the Lame. From hence in like ma|ner we came vnto the Leuind mouth, wherevnto the Blake on the southwest and the Lomund lake, with his fléeting Iles and fish without finnes (yet verie holesone) dooth séeme to make his issue. This lake of Lomund in calme weather ariseth sometimes so high, and swelleth with such terrible billowes, that it causeth the best marriners of Scotland to abide the leisure of this water, before they dare aduenture to hoise vp sailes on hie. The like is seene in windie weather, but much more perillous. There are cer|teine Iles also in the same, which mooue and remooue, oftentimes by force of the water, but one of them e|speciallie, which otherwise is verie fruitfull for pastu|rage of cattell.

Next vnto this is the Leue,Leue. the Rage, the Long,Long. the Goile, & the Heke,Goile, Heke. which for the excéeding great|nesse of their heads, are called lakes. Then haue we the Robinseie,Robinseie. the Foreland, the Tarbat,Forlan Tarbat. the Lean,Lean. and the Abir,Abir. wherevnto the Spanseie, the Loine, the Louth, the Arke,Arke. and the ZefeZefe. doo fall, there is also the Sell,Sell. the Zord,Zord. the Owin,Owin. the Newisse,Newisse. the OrneOrne. the Lang,Lang. the Drun,Drun. the Hew,Hew. the Brun,Brun. the Kell,Kile. the Dowr,Dowr. the Faro,Faro. the Nesse,Nesse. the Herre,Herre. the Con,Con. the Glasse,Glasse. the Maur,Maur. the Urdall,Urdall. the Fers (that com|meth out of the Caldell) the Fairsoke, which two lat|ter lie a little by west of the Orchades, and are pro|perlie called riuers, bicause they issue onelie from springs; but most of the other takes, bicause they come from linnes and huge pooles, or such low bot|tomes, fed with springs, as séeme to haue no accesse, but onelie recesse of waters, whereof there be manie in Scotland.

But to procéed. Hauing once past Dungisbie head in Cathnesse, we shall yer long come to the mouth of the Wifle, a prettie streame, comming by south of the mounteins called the Maidens pappes. Then to the Browre, the Clin, the Twin (where|into runneth three riuers,Fesse. the Shin, the Sillan, and Carew) the Nesse,Calder. which beside the plentie of sa|mon found therein is neuer frosen,Wifle. nor suffereth yce to remaine there, that is cast into the poole.Browre. From thence we come vnto the Narding,Clin. the Fin|derne, the Spaie (which receiues the Uine) the Fitch,Twin. the Bulich,Shin. the Arrian, the Leuin, and the Bogh, from whence we saile vntill we come about the Buquhan head,Sillan. and so to the Downe, and Dee: which two streames bring forth the greatest samons that are to be he had in Scotland,Carew. and most plentie of the same.Nesse. Then to the north Eske, whereinto the Esmond runneth aboue Brechin,Narding. the south Eske, then the Louen and the Taw,Spaie. which is the finest riuer for water that is in all Scotland,Downe. and wherevnto most riuers and lakes doo run.Dée. As Farlake, Yrth, Goure,Eske. Loich, Cannach, Linell, Loion, Irewer, Erne, and diuerse other besides small rillets which I did neuer looke vpon.

Then is there the lake Londors, vpon whose mouth saint Andrewes dooth stand, the lake Lewin, vnto whose streame two other lakes haue recourse in Fifland, and then the Firth or Fortha, which some doo call the Pictish and Scotish sea, whither the king|dome of the Northumbers was sometime extended, and with the riuer last mentioned (I meane that commeth from Londors) includeth all Fife, the said Fortha being full of oisters and all kinds of huge fish that vse to lie in the déepe. How manie waters run into the Firth, called by Ptolomie Loxa, it is not in my power iustlie to declare: yet are there both ri|uers, rills, & lakes that fall into the same, as Clacke,Clacke. Alon,Alon. Dune,Dune. Kerie,Kerie. Cambell,Cambell. Cumer,Cumer. Tere,Tere. Man,Man. Torkeson,Torkesan. Rosham,Rosham. Mushell,Mussell. Blene,Blene. and diuerse o|ther which I call by these names, partlie after infor|mation, and partlie of such townes as are neere vn|to their heads. Finallie, when we are past the Haie, then are we come vnto the Twede, Twede. whereinto we entred, leauing Barwike on the right hand and his appurtenances, wherein Halidon hill standeth, and conteineth a triangle of so much ground beyond the said riuer, as is well néere foure miles in length, and thrée miles in bredth in the broad end: except mine information doo faile me.

The Twede (which Ptolomie nameth Toualsis or Toesis, & betwéene which and the Tine the coun|tie of Northumberland is in maner inclosed, and watred with sundrie noble riuers) is a noble streame and the limes or bound betwéene England & Scot|land, wherby those two kingdomes are now diuided in sunder. It riseth about Drimlar in Eusbale (or rather out of a faire well (as Leland saith) standing in the mosse of an hill called Airstane, or Harestan in Twede dale ten miles from Pibble) and so com|ming by Pibble, Lander, Dribiwgh, Lelse, Warke, Norham and Hagarstone, it falleth into the sea be|neath Barwike, as I heare. Thus saith Leland. But I not contented with this so short a discourse of so long a riuer & briefe description of so faire a streame, will ad somewhat more of the same concerning his race on the English side, and rehearsall of such ri|uers as fall into it. Comming therefore to Ridam, it receiueth betwéene that and Carham a becke, which descendeth from the hilles that lie by west of Windram. Going also from Ridam by Longbridg|ham (on the Scotish side) and to Carham, it hasteth immediatlie to Warke castell on the English, and by Spilaw on the other side, then to Cornewall, Cald streame, and Tilmouth, where it receiueth sundrie waters in one botome which is called the Till, and whose description insueth here at hand.

Certes there is no head of anie riuer that is na|med Till,Till. but the issue of the furthest water that com|meth hereinto, riseth not farre from the head of Us|waie in the Cheuiot hilles, where it is called Bren|nich, whereof the kingdome of Brennicia did some|time take the name. From thence it goeth to Hart|side, Ingram, Branton, Crawleie, Hedgeleie, Be|ueleie, and Bewije, beneath which it receiueth one water comming from Rodham by west, and soone after a second descending from the Middletons, and so they go as one with the Bromish,Bromis. by Chatton to Fowbreie (where they crosse the third water falling downe by north from Howborne by Hescibridge) thence to Woller, there also taking in a rill that ri|seth about Middleton hall, and runneth by Hardleie, Whereleie, and the rest afore remembred, wherby the water of Bromis is not a little increased, and after this latter confluence beneath Woller, no more cal|led Bromis but the Till, vntill it come at the Twede. The Till passing therefore by Wetel and and Dedington, méeteth soone after with a faire streame comming from by southwest, which most men call the Bowbent or Bobent.

It riseth on the west side of the Cocklaw hill,Bobent. and from thence hasteth to Hattons, beneath the which it ioineth from by southeast with the Hellerborne, and then goeth to Pudston, Downeham, Kilham, and a little by north of Newton Kirke, and betwéene it and west Newton, it taketh in another water called Glin, comming from the Cheuiot hilles by Heth poole, and from thenseforth runneth on without anie further increase, by Copland, Euart, and so in the Till. The Till for his part in like sort after this con|fluence goeth to Broneridge, Fodcastell, Catall ca|stell, Heaton, & north of T illegible mouth into the Twede, or by west of Wesell, except my memori illegible dooth faile me. After this also our aforesaid water of Twede descendeth to Grotehugh, the Newbiggins, Nor|ham castell, Foord, Lungridge,Whitaker. & crossing the Whita|ker on the other side from Scotland beneath Caw|mill, it runneth to Ordo, to Barwike, and so into the Ocean, leauing (as I said) so much English ground on the northwest ripe, as lieth in manner of a trian|gle betwéene Cawmils, Barwike, and Lammeton, which (as one noteth) is no more but two miles and an halfe euerie waie, or not much more; except he be deceiued.

Being past this noble streame, we came by a rill that descendeth from Bowsden by Barington. Then by the second which ariseth betwéene Middleton and Detcham or Dereham, and runneth by Eskill and the Rosse, next of all to Warnemouth of whose backe water I read as followeth. The Warne or Gwerne riseth southwest of Crokelaw, and going by Warneford,Warne. Bradford, Spindlestone, and Bud illegible , it leaueth Newton on the right hand, and so falleth in|to the Ocean after it hath run almost nine miles from the head within the land, and receiued a rill be|neath Yessington, which commeth downe betwéene Newland and Olchester, and hath a bridge beneath the confluence, which leadeth ouer the same. From Warnemouth, we sailed by Bamborow castell, and came at last to a fall betweene Bedwell and New|ton. The maine water that serueth this issue, riseth aboue Carleton from the foot of an hill, which séemeth to part the head of this and that of Warne in sun|der. It runneth also by Carleton, Tonleie, Oxford, Brunton, and Tuggell, and finallie into the sea, as to his course apperteineth.

From this water we went by Dunstanbugh ca|stell,Aile, or Alne, aliàs Chaine. vnto the Chalne or Alnemouth, which is serued with a pretie riueret called Alne, the head whereof ri|seth in the hils west of Alnham towne, and called by Ptolomie, Celnius. From thense also it runneth by Rile, Kile, Estington, and Whittingham, where it crosseth a rill comming from by south, and beneath the same, the second that descendeth from Eirchild at Brone, & likewise the third that riseth at Newton, and runneth by Edlingham castell and Lemmaton (all on the southeast side or right hand) and so passeth on further, till it meet with the fourth, comming from aboue Shipleie from by north, after which confluence it goeth to Alnewije, & then to Denntie, receiuing there a rillet from by south and a rill from by north, and thence going on to Bilton, betweene Ailmouth towne and Wooddon, it sweepeth into the Ocean.

The CocketCocket. is a goodlie riuer, the head also there|of is in the roots of Kemblespeth hils, from whence it goeth to Whiteside, and there meeting with the Us|waieUswaie. (which descendeth from the north) it goeth a little further to Linbridge, and there receiueth the Ridleie by southwest, and after that with another, called (as I thinke) the Hoc, which commeth from the Woodland and hillie soile by Allington, & falleth into the same, west of Parke head. It ioineth also yer long with the Ridland,Ridlcie. which commeth in north by Bilstone, and then hieth to Sharpton, to Harbotle, where it crosseth the Yardop water by south,Yardop. then to Woodhouse, and swallowing in a litle becke by the waie from south|west, to Bickerton, to Tossons, Newton, and run|ning apace toward Whitton towre, it taketh a brooke withall that commeth in northwest of Alnham, néere Elthaw, and goeth by Skarnewood, ouer nether Trewhet, Snitter, and Throxton, and soone after vni|teth it selfe with the Cocket,It may, be Leland mista|keth Ticking+ton water for one of these. from whence they go to|gether to Rethburie, or Whitton towre, to Halie, to Brinkehorne, Welden, taking withall soone after the Tod or burne called Tod, which falleth in from by south, then to Elihaw, Felton (receiuing thereabout the Fareslie brooke, that goeth by Wintring by south east, and Sheldike water, that goeth by Hason, to Brainsaugh by north) and from thence to Morricke Warkworth ca illegible ell, and so into the sea.

There is furthermore a little fall, betwéene Hawkeslaw and Drurith, which riseth about Stokes wood goeth by east Cheuington, and Whittington ca|stell, and afterward into the Ocean.Lune. The Lune is a pretie brooke rising west of Espleie, from whence it goeth to Tritlington, Ugham, Linton, and yer long in the sea. Wansbecke (in old time Diua) is far grea|ter than the Lune.wansbecke. It issueth vp west and by north of west Whelpington, thence it runneth to Kirke Whelpington, Wallington, Middleton, and Anger|ton. Heere it méeteth with a water running from a|bout Farnelaw by the grange, and Hartburne on the north, and then going from Angerton, it runneth by Moseden to Mitforth, and there in like maner cros|seth the Font,Font. which issuing out of the ground about Newbiggin, goeth by Nonneie Kirke, Witton ca|stell, Stanton, Nunriding, Newton, and so into the Wansbecke, which runneth in like maner from Mit|ford to Morpheth castell (within two miles whereof it ebbeth and floweth) the new Chappell, Bottle castell, Shepwash, and so into the sea, thrée miles from the next hauen which is called Blithe.

Blithe water riseth about kirke Heaton, and go|eth by Belfe,Blithe. Ogle, and (receiuing the Port aliàs the Brocket, that springeth east of S. Oswolds) passeth by Portgate, Whittington, Fennike hall, Madfen|nes, Hawkewell, the Grange, & Dis illegible ngtons. After it hath taken in the Pont from the east (whose head is not farre from that of Hartleie streame) and is pastHartleie. Barwijc on the hill, it runneth by Harford, Bed|lington, Cowpon, and at Blithes nuke, into the deepe Ocean. Hartleie streamelet riseth in Wéete|slade parioch, goeth by Haliwell, and at Hartleie towne yeeldeth to the sea.

The Time or Tinna,North Tine. a riuer notablie stored with samon, and other good fish, and in old time cal|led Alan, riseth of two heads, whereof that called north Tine, is the first that followeth to be described. It springeth vp aboue Belkirke in the hils,Shele. & thence goeth to Butterhawgh (where it receiueth a con|fluence of Kirsop and the Shele) thence to Crag|sheles, Leapelish (receiuing on the south a rill out of Tindale) then to Shilburne, against which it taketh in a becke that commeth out of Tindale called Shill, also two other on the same side, betweene Yarro and Fawston hall, and the third at Thorneburne, and so goeth on to Grenested, and there carrieth withall a fall, from by north also made by the confluence of one rill comming by Thecam, and another that pas|seth by Holinhead, and likewise another on the south comming from Tindale, by Chuden, Dalacastell, and Brokes: after which our north Tine goeth by Hellaside, to Billingham, and at Rhedes mouth méeteth with the Ridde, a verie prettie water, whose description is giuen me after this maner.Ridde.

The Ridde therefore riseth within thrée miles of the Scotish march, as Leland saith, & commeth through Riddesdale, wherevnto it giueth the name. Another writeth how it riseth in the roots of the Carter, and Redsquibe hilles, and yer it hath gone farre from the head, beside a few little rilles it taketh in the Spel|hopShelop. or Petop from the north and the CheslopCheslop. on the south, beside sundrie other wild rits namelesse and obscure, as one on the north side next vnto the Potop or Spelhop; another by south out of Riddesdale, the third west of Burdop, the fourth runneth by Wul|law to Rochester, then two from southwest, another from by north which goeth by Durtburne, and is cal|led Durt or Durth, then the Smalburne from the west. Next to the same is the Otter or Otterburne on the north side also the Ouereie, and finallie the last which descendeth from Ellesdon hilles, by Munkrige and ioineth with our Ridde, northwest of Nud|howgh, after which the said Ridde goeth by Wood|burne, Risingham, Leame, and so into the Tine, a little lower than Belingham or Bilingham, which standeth some what aloofe from north Tine, and is (as I take it) ten miles at the least aboue the towne of Hexham. After this confluence it passseth to Léehall,3. Burnes. to Carehouse (crossing ShitlingtonShitlington. becke by west which also receiueth the Yare on the south side of Shitlington) another also beneath this on the same side, made by the confluence of Workes burne, and Middle burne, at Roseburne, beside the third called Morleis or Morelée aboue, and Simons burne be|neath Shepechase, and likewise the Swine from by forth that runneth by Swinburne castell, next of all the Riall from the northeast, which commeth by E|rington, & so holding his course directlie southwarde, it goeth by S. Oswolds through the Pictithwall, to Wall, and so into south Tine, beneath Accam, and northwest (as I doo wéene) of Hexham.

The south Tine ariseth in the Cheuiot hils,Tine. S. and yet it hath gone farre from the head, it méeteth with Esgill on the east,Esgin. and another rill on the west, and so going by the houses toward Awsten moore, it illegible ometh with Schud from by west, and soone after with the Uent from by east aboue Lowbier. From Low|bier it goeth to Whitehalton,Uent. to Kirke Haugh (cros|sing the Gilders beckeGilders beck. on the one side, and the Alne on the other) to Thornehope, where it is inlarged with a water on each side, to Williamstone, and al|most at Knaresdale,Knare. taketh in the Knare, and then runneth withall to Fetherstone angle. At Fether|stone angle likewise it méeteth with Hartleie water, by southwest comming from Sibins or Sibbenes, another a little beneath from southeast, and thence when it commeth to Billester castell, it carieth ano|ther withall from by west, Thirlewall called Rippall which riseth in the forrest of Lowes, and goeth by the Waltowne, Blinkinsop, & Widon, and after which confluence it taketh in another from by north rising west of Swinsheld, which goeth by Grenelegh to Haltwestell: thence going by Unthanke, it crosseth a|nother rill from by south, descending from thee hilles that lie north of Todlewood, and then proceeding vn|to Wilmotteswije, it admitteth the Wilmots becke from the south, and another running by Bradleie hall on the north side of Beltingham; after which it mée|teth with the Alen a proper water, and described af|ter this maner.

The Alen or Alon hath two heads,East Alen. whereof one is called east Alen, the other west Alen. The first of them riseth southeast of Sibton Sheles, & going by Sun|dorp, it taketh in a rill withall from by est; after which confluence it runneth to Newshele, Allington, Cad|don, Old towne, & in the course to Stauertpele, mée|teth with the west Alen. The west Alen riseth in Kil|lop low hilles aboue Whe illegible ele illegible e sheles,West Alen. from whence it goeth to Spartwell, Hawcopole, Owston, and ta|king in a rill thereabouts, if procéedeth on to Per|mandbie, and crossing there another rill in like ma|ner from by west, it goeth by Whitefield, and ioining soone after with the est Alen, they run as one to Sta|uert poole, Plankford, and so into the Tine betweene Beltingham and Lées, from whence the Tine run|neth on by Lees Haddon, Woodhall, Owners, Whernebie, Costleie, & so by Warden, till it crosse the north Tine, and come to Hexham, from whence it goeth to Dilstan, crossing two waters by the waie, whereof one commeth from by south, and is called the Wolsh, which holdeth hir course by Sielehall, and Newbiggin receiueth another comming from Grimbridge: the other called Dill so me what lower descending from Hedleie, and running by Rising, till it fall into the south side of our streame from Dilstan, it goeth to Bywell castell, ouer against which it receiueth a rill that runneth by Hindleie, thence it hasteth to Eltingham, Pruddo, Willam, (and there it meeteth with another becke) then to Re|ton, Blaidon, and next of all ioineth with the Dar|went, from by south.

This riuer riseth aboue Knewdon, and Rudlam|hope in Northumberland,Darwent. from two heads: the nor|therlie being called Dere, and the southerlie the Guent: and ioining so well yer long in chanell as in name, they runne on to Humsterworth, new Big|gin, Blankeland, Acton, Aspersheles, Blackheadlie, Brentfield side, Pansheles, E illegible chester, and there ta|king in a water from Hedlere in Northumberland, néere to Blacke hall in the bishoprike, it goeth on to Spen, Holl inside, Wickham Swalwell, and so into Tine, which passeth from thence by Elswijc, and mée|ting with another water comming from Shildraw, by Rauensworth castell to Redhugh, it goeth on to Newcastell, Fellin, Netherheworth, Walker, Waswon, Hedburne, and next to Ierco or Girwie, where Beda dwelled in an abbeie; now a gentlemans place (although the church be made a parish church, wherevnto diuerse townes resort, as moonke Eaton where Beda was borne, which is a mile from thence, Southsheles, Harton, Westhow, Hebburne, Hed|worth, Wardleie, Fellin, Follinsbie, the Heworthes) and from thence to the south and Northsheles, and so into the sea, fiue miles by northwest of Weremouth, and (as I gesse) some what more.

Beneath the confluence in like sort of both the Tines, standeth Corbridge, a towne sometime inha|bited by the Romans, and about twelue miles from Newcastell, and hereby dooth the Corue run, that meeteth yer long with the Tine. Not farre off also is a place called Colchester, wherby Leland gesseth that the name of the brooke should rather be Cole than Corue,Corue. and in my iudgement his coniecture is verie likelie; for in the life of S. Oswijn (otherwise a féeble authoritie) the word Colbridge is alwaies vsed for Corbridge, whereof I thought good to leaue this short aduertisement. In this countrie also are the thrée vales or dales, whereof men haue doubted whether théeues or true men doo most abound in them, that is to saie, Riddesdale, Tuidale, and Liddesdale: this last being for the most part Scotish, and without the marches of England. Neuerthelesse, sithens that by the diligence cheefelie of maister Gilpin, and finallie of other learned preachers, the grace of God work|ing with them, they haue béene called to some obedi|ence and zeale vnto the word, it is found that they haue so well profited by the same, that at this present their former sauage demeanour is verie much aba|ted, and their barbarous wildnesse and fiercenesse so qualified, that there is great hope left of their reduc|tion vnto ciuilitie, and better order of behauiour than hitherto they haue béene acquainted withall. But to procéed with the rest.

Ptolomie, writing of the Were, calleth it Uedra, a riuer well knowne vnto Beda the famous préest, who was brought vp in a monasterie that stood vpon the bankes thereof.Were. It riseth of thrée heads in Kellop|peslaw hill, whereof the most southerlie is called Burdop,Burdop. the middlemost Wallop,Wallop. and the northerli|est Kellop,Kellop. which vniting themselues about S. Iohns chappell, or a little by west thereof, their confluence runneth through Stanhope parke, by east Yare, and so to Frosterleie. But yer it come there, it receiueth thrée rilles from the north in Weredale, whereof one commeth in by Stanhope, another west of Wood|croft hall, and the third at Frosterleie afore mentio|ned. And a little beneath these, I find yet a fourth on the south side, which descendeth from southwest by Bolliop, Bishopsleie, Milhouses, and Landew, as I haue béene informed. Being therefore vnited all with the Were, this streame goeth on to Walsing|ham,Wascrop. there taking in the Wascropburne, beside ano|ther at Bradleie, the third at Harpleie hall (and these on the north side) and the fourth betwéene Witton and Witton castell called Bedburne, comming by Hamsterleie,Bedburne. whereby this riuer dooth now wax ve|rie great. Going therefore from hence, it hasteth to Bishops Akeland, and beneath it receiueth the Ga|rondlesse, which (as Leland saith) riseth six miles by west of Akeland castell, and running south thereof, passeth by west Akeland, S. Helens Akeland, S. An|drewes Akeland, and bishops Akeland, and then into the Were which goeth to Newfield, and Willing|ton. Neere vnto this place also and somewhat beneath Sunderland, the Were, crosseth one brooke from southest by Het, Croxseie, Cronefurth, Tursdale, and Coxdale, and two other from by northwest in one botome, whereof the first commeth from aboue Ash by Langleie: the other called Coue, from aboue Kinchleie by Newbiggin, Lanchester, north Langlie, and through Beare parke, & so méeting beneath Rel|leie or Hedleie with the other, they fall both as one into the Were, betweene south Sunderland and Burnall. From hence our riuer goeth on to Howgh|well, Shirkeleie, old Duresme (and there taking in the Pidding brookePidding brooke. by northeast) it goeth to Dures|me, Finkeleie, Harbarhouse, Lumleie castell (where it méeteth with the Pilis,Pilis. whose heads are vnited be|tweene Pelton and Whitwell (and after called Hed|leie) and from thence to Lampton, Harroton, the Be|dikes, Ufferton, Hilton parke, Bishops, Were|mouth, and so into the sea, betweene north Sunder|land and north Weremouth towne, which now is called moonke Weremouth of the monasterie some|time standing there, wherein Beda read & wrote manie of his bookes, as to the world appeareth. This mouth of Were is eight miles from Durham, and six from Newcastell. Being thus passed the Were, & entered into the Bishoprijc, yer we come at the mouth of the These, almost by two miles, ouer passing a rill that runneth by castell Eden, and Hardwijc, and likewise Hartlepoole towne, which lieth ouer into the sea in maner of a byland or peninsula, we meet with a pret|tie fall, which groweth by a riuer that is increased with two waters, whereof one riseth by northwest a|bout Moretons, and goeth by Stotfeld and Claxton, the other at Dawlton, going by Breerton, Ow|tham, and Grettam, finallie ioining within two miles of the sea, they make a prettie portlet: but I know not of what securitie.

The These,Thesis. a riuer that beareth and féedeth an ex|cellent samon, riseth in the Blacke lowes, aboue two miles flat west of the southerlie head of Were called Burdop, and south of the head of west Alen, and thence runneth through Tildale forrest: and ta|king in the Langdon water from northwest it run|neth to Durtpit chappell, to Newbiggin, and so to Middleton, receiuing by west of each of these a rill comming from by north (of which the last is called Hude) and likewise the Lune afterward by southwestHude. that riseth at thrée seueral places, whereof the first is in the borders of Westmerland and there called Arnegill becke, the second more southerlie, named Lunebecke, and the third by south at Bandor Skarth hill,Lune. and méeting all aboue ArnegillArnegill. house, they run togither in one bottome to Lathekirke bridge, and then into the These. Hauing therefore met with these, it runneth to Mickelton (& there taking in the Skirkwith water) it goeth to Rombald kirke (cros|singSkirkewith. there also one rill and the Bander brooke by southBander west) and then going to Morewood hag, and More|wood parke, till it come to Bernards castell.

Here also it receiueth the Thuresgill water com|ming east of Rere crosse in Yorkeshire,Rere crosse. from the spittle in Stanmore by Crag almost southwest, and being vnited with the These, it goeth by Stratford, Eglesdon, Rokesbie, Thorpe, Wickliffe, Ouington, Winston, and betweene Barfurth and Gainfurth méeteth with another rill, that commeth from Lang|leie forest, betwéene Rabie castell and Standorpe, of whose name I haue no knowledge. But to procéed. The These being past Ramforth, runneth betwéene Persore and Cliffe, and in the waie to Croffs bridge taketh in the Skerne a pretie water, which riseth a|bout Trimdon,Skerne. and goeth by Fishburne, Bradburie, Preston, Braforton, Skirmingham, the Burdons, Haughton and Darlington, & there finallie meeting with the Cocke becke or Dare, it falleth in the These beneath Stapleton, before it come at Croffs bridge, and (as it should séeme) is the same which Leland cal|leth Gretteie or Grettie. From thence it runneth to Sockburne, nether Dunsleie, Middleton row, New|sham, Yarne (crossing a brooke from Leuen bridge) called Leuen or Leuinus in Latine, whose crinkling course is notable, and the streame of some called Thorpe, which I find described in this maner.

The Thorpe riseth of sundrie heads,Thorpe aliàs Leuand. wereof one is aboue Pinching Thorpe, from whence it goeth to Nonnethorpe, and so to Stokesleie. The second hath two branches, and so placed, that Kildale standeth be|tweene them both: finallie, méeting beneath Easbie they go by Eaton, and likewise vnto Stokesleie. The last hath also two branches, whereof one com|meth from Inglesbie, and méeteth with the second beneath Broughton; & going from thence to Stokes|leie, they méet with the Thorpe aboue the towne, as the other fall into it somewhat beneath the same. From hence it goeth to Ridleie,Trawthorne. and there taketh in another rill comming from Potto, thence to Craw|thorne brooke, Leuanton, Milton, Hilton, Inglesbie, and so into the These, betwéene Yarne and Bar|wtjc, whereof I made mention before. After this confluence our These hasteth on to Barwtjc, Pres|ston, Thorne abbeie, and Arsham, which standeth on the southeast side of the riuer almost betweene the falles of two waters, whereof one descendeth from west Hartburne by long Newton, Elton, & Stock|ton; the other from Stillington, or Shillington, by Whitton, Thorpe, Blackestone, Billingham, and Norton. From Arsham finallie it goeth to Bella|sis, Middleburgh, and so into the sea. Leland de|scribing this riuer speaketh of the Wiske, which should come thereinto from by south vnder Wiske bridge, by Danbie, and Northalarton, and should ioine with a greater streame: but as yet I find no certeine place where to bestow the same.

Next of all we come vnto the high Cliffe water, which rising aboue Hutton, goeth by Gisborow, and there receiueth another streame comming from by southeast, and then continuing on his course, it is not long yer it fall into the sea. The next is the Sca|ling water, which descendeth from Scaling towne, from whence we come to the Molemouth, not farre from whose head standeth Molgraue castell: then to Sandford creeke,Eske. and next of all to Eske mouth, which riseth aboue Danbie wood, and so goeth to Ca|stelton, there méeting by the waie with another rill comming from about Westerdale by Danbie, and so they go on togither by Armar and Thwate castell, till they ioine with another water aboue Glasdule chappell, thence to new Biggin, taking yet another brooke with them, running from Goodland ward, and likewise the Ibur, and so go on without anie further increase by Busworth,Ibur. yer long into the sea.

There is also a créeke on each side of Robin Whoodes baie, of whose names and courses I haue no skill, sauing that Fillingale the towne dooth stand betwéene them both. There is another not far from Scarborow, on the north side called the Har|wood brooke. It runneth through Harwood dale by Cloughton, Buniston, and soone after méeting with another rill on the southwest, they run as one into the ocean sea. From Scarborow to Bridlington, by Flamborow head, we met with no more falles. This water therefore that we saw at Bridlington, riseth at Dugglebie, from whence it goeth to Kirbie, Helperthorpe, Butterwtjc, Boithorpe, Foxhole, (where it falleth into the ground, and riseth vp a|gaine at Rudston) Thorpe, Cathorpe, Bridlington, and so into the Ocean.

Being come about the Spurne head, I meete yer long with a riuer that riseth short of Withersie, and goeth by Fodringham and Wisted, from thence to another that commeth by Rosse, Halsham, Car|mingham: then to the third, which riseth aboue Hum|bleton, and goeth to Esterwtjc, Heddon, and so into the Humber. The fourth springeth short of Sprot|leie, goeth by Witton, and falleth into the water of Humber at Merslete, as I heare.

The next of all is the Hull water,Hull. which I will describe also here, and then crosse ouer vnto the sou|therlie shore. The furthest head of Hull water ri|seth at Kilham, from whence it goeth to Lewthorpe créeke, and so to Fodringham, a little beneath which it meeteth with sundrie waters, whereof one falleth in on the northest side, comming from about Lisset; the second on the northwest banke from Nafferton; the third from Emmeswell and Kirkeburne: for it hath two heads which ioined beneth little Drifield, and the fourth which falleth into the same: so that these two latter run vnto the maine riuer both in one chanell, as experience hath confirmed. From hence then our Hull goeth to to Ratseie, to Goodale|house, and then taking in a water from Hornesie mere, it goeth on through Beuerleie medowes, by Warron, Stoneferrie, Hull, and finallie into the Humber. Of the rill that falleth into this water from south Netherwijc, by Skirlow, and the two rilles that come from Cottingham and Woluer|ton, I saie no more, sith it is enough to name them in their order.

_THere is no riuer called Humber from the hed.Humber. Wher|fore that which we now call Humber, Ptolomie Abie, Le|land Aber, as he gesseth, hath the same denomination no higher than the confluence of Trent with the Ouze, as be|side Leland sundrie ancient writers haue noted be|fore vs both. Certes it is a noble arme of the sea, and although it be properlie to be called Ouze or Ocellus euen to the Nuke beneath Ancolme, yet are we con|tented to call it Humber of Humbrus or Umar, a king of the Scithians, who inuaded this Ile in the time of Locrinus, thinking to make himselfe mo|narch of the same. But as God hath from time to time singularlie prouided for the benefit of Bri|taine, so in this businesse it came to passe, that Hum|ber was put to flight, his men slaine: and further|more, whilest he attempted to saue himselfe by hast|ing to his ships (such was the prease of his nobilitie that followed him into his owne vessell, and the rage of weather which hastened on his fatall daie) that both he and they were drowned togither in that arme. And this is the onelie cause wherefore it hath béene called Humber, as our writers saie; and wher|of I find these verses: Dum fugit obstat ei flumen submergitur illic, Déque suo tribuit nomine nomen aquae.

This riuer in old time parted Lhoegres or Eng|land from Albania, which was the portion of Alba|nactus, the yongest sonne of Brute. But since that time the limits of Lhoegres haue béene so inlarged, first by the prowesse of the Romans, then by the con|quests of the English, that at this present daie, the Twede on the one side, & the Solue on the other, be taken for the principall bounds betweene vs and those of Scotland. In describing therefore the Hum|ber, I must néeds begin with the Ouze, whose water bringeth foorth a verie sweet, fat and delicat sa|mon, as I haue beene informed, beside sundrie o|ther kinds of fish, which we want here on the south and southwest coasts & riuers of our land, whereof I may take occasion to speake more at large heerafter.

The Ure therfore riseth in the furthest parts of all Richmondshire,Ure aliàs Ouze, or Isis. among the Coterine hilles, in a mosse, toward the west fourtéene miles beyond Mi|dleham. Being therefore issued out of the ground, it goeth to Holbecke, Hardraw, Hawshouse, Butter|side, Askebridge (which Leland calleth the Askaran, and saith thereof and the Bainham, that they are but obscure bridges) then to Askarth, through Wanlesse parke, Wenseleie bridge (made two hundred yeares since, by Alwin, parson of Winslaw) New parke, Spennithorne, Danbie, Geruise abbeie, Clifton and Masham. When it is come to Masham, it recei|ueth the Burne,Burne. by south west (as it did the Wile,Wile. from verie déepe scarrie rockes, before at Askaran) and diuerse other wild rilles not worthie to be re|membred. From Masham, it hasteth vnto Tanfield (taking in by the waie a rill by southwest) then to an|other Tanfield, to Newton hall, and Northbridge, at the hither end of Rippon, and so to Huickes bridge. But yer it come there it meeteth with the Skell,Skell. which being incorporat with the same, they run as one to Thorpe, then to Alborow, and soone after re|ceiue the Swale.Swale.

Here (saith Leland) I am brought into no little streict, what to coniecture of the méeting of Isis and Ure, for some saie that the Isis and the Ure doo méet at Borowbridge, which to me dooth séeme to be verie vnlikelie, sith Isurium taketh his denomination of Isis and Vro, for it is often séene that the lesse riuers doo mingle their names with the greater, as in the Thamesis and other is easie to be found. Neither is there any more mention of the Ure after his passage vnder Borowbridge, but onelie of Isis or the Ouze in these daies, although in old time it held vnto Yorke it selfe, which of the Ure is truelie called Ure|wtjc (or Yorke short) or else my persuasion dooth faile me. I haue red also Ewerwtjc and Yorwtjc. But to procéed, and leaue this superfluous discourse.

From Borowbridge, the Ouze goeth to Aldbo|rough, and (receiuing the Swale by the waie) to Ald|worke, taking in Usburne water, from the south|west, then to Linton vpon Ouze, to Newton vpon Ouze, and to Munketun, méeting with the Nid yer long, and so going withall to the Redhouses, to Po|pleton,Fosse. Clifton, Yorke (where it crosseth the Fosse) to Foulfoorth, Middlethorpe, Acaster, & Acaster, Kelfléet, Welehall, Barelebie, Selbie, Turmonhall, Skurt|hall, Hokelath, Hoke, Sandhall, Rednesse, White|gift, Uslet, Blacketoff, Foxfléet, Brownfléet, and so into Humber.

The course of the Ouze being thus described,Ouze. and as it were simplie without his influences, now will I touch such riuers as fall into the same also by them|selues, contrarie to my former proceeding, imagi|ning a voiage from the Rauenspurne, vntill I come néere to the head of These, & so southwards about a|gaine by the bottome of the hillie soile vntill I get to Buxston, Sheffeld, Scrobie, & the verie south point of Humber mouth, whereby I shall crosse them all that are to be found in this walke, & leaue (I doubt) some especiall notice of their seuerall heads and courses.Hull or Hulne. The course of the Hull, a streame aboun|ding with sturgeon and lampreie, as also the riuers which haue their issue into the same, being (as I say) alreadie described, I thinke it not amisse, as by the waie to set downe what Leland saith thereof, to the end that his trauell shall not altogither be lost in this behalfe; and for that it is short, and hath one or two things worthie to be remembred conteined in the same.

The Hulne (saith he) riseth of thrée seuerall heads, whereof the greatest is not far from Oriefield, now a small village sixtéene miles from Hull. Certes it hath beene a goodlie towne, and therein was the pa|lace of Egbright king of the Northumbers, and place of sepulture of Alfred the noble king sometime of that nation, who died there 727, the ninetéene Cal. of Iulie, the twentith of his reigne, and whose toombe or monument dooth yet remaine (for ought that I doo know) to the contrarie with an inscription vpon the same written in Latine letters. Néere vn|to this towne also is the Danefield, wherein great numbers of Danes were slaine, and buried in those hils, which yet remaine there to be séene ouer their dones and carcasses. The second head (saith he) is at Estburne, and the third at Emmeswell, and mée|ting all togither not farre from Orifield, the water there beginneth to be called Hulne, as I haue said alreadie.

From hence also it goeth through Beuerleie me|dowes, and comming at the last not farre from an arme led from the Hulne by mans hand (and able to beare great vessels) almost to Beuerleie towne, which in old time either hight or stood in Deirwald, vntill Iohn of Beuerleie (whom Leland nameth out of an old author to be the first doctor or teacher of di|uinitie that euer was in Oxford, and (as it should séeme also by an ancient monument yet remaining) to be of an hostell where the vniuersitie college now standeth; & therefore they write him, Somtime fellow of that house) began to be of fame, of whom it is cal|led Beuerleie (as some affirme) to this daie. In déed all the countrie betwéene the Deirwent & the Hum|ber was sometime called Deira, and the lower part Caua Deira in respect of the higher soile, but now it is named the east Riding. But what is this to my purpose? The Hulne therefore being come almost to Beuerleie towne, & méeting thereabout also with the CottinghamCottingham. becke comming from Westwood by the waie, it hasteth to Kingston vpon Hulne or Hull, and so into the Humber without anie maner impeachment.

The Fowlneie riseth about Godmanham,Fowlncie. from whence it goeth by Wighton, Hareswell, Seton, Williams bridge, and soone after spreading it selfe, one arme called Skelfleet goeth by Cane Cawseie to Brownefléet and so into the Ouze.Skelfléet. The other pas|seth by Sandholme, Gilberts dike, Scalbie chappell, Blacketoff, and so into the aforesaid Ouze, leauing a verie pretie Iland, which is a parcell (as I heare) of Walding fen more, though otherwise obscure to vs that dwell here in the south.

The Darwent riseth in the hilles that lie west of Robin Whoodes baie,Darwent. or two miles aboue Aiton bridge, west from Scarborow as Leland saith: and yer it hath run farre from the head, it receiueth two rilles in one bottome from by west, which ioine with|all about Longdale end. Thence they go togither to Broxeie, and at Hacknesse take in another water comming from about Silseie. Afterward it com|meth to Aiton, then to Haibridge, and there crosseth the Kenford that descendeth from Roberteston.Kenford. Af|ter this also it goeth on to Potersbrumton where it taketh in one rill, as it dooth another beneath run|ning from Shirburne, and the third yet lower on the further banke, that descendeth from Brumton. From these confluences it runneth to Fowlbridge, Axbridge, Yeldingham bridge, & so to Cotehouse, re|ceiuing by the waie manie waters, & yéelding great plentie of delicate samons to such as fish vpon the same. Leland reckoning vp the names of the seue|rall brookes, numbreth them confusedlie after his ac|customed order. The Darwent (saith he) receiueth di|uerse streames, as the Shirihutton.Shirihutton. The second is the Crambecke,Crambecke. descending from Hunderskell castell (so called Tanquam à centum fontibus, or multitude of springs that rise about the same) and goeth the Rie,Rie. which comming out of the Blackemoore, passeth by Riuers abbeie, taking in the RicollRicoll. on the left hand, then the Seuen,Seuen. the Costeie,Costeie. and PickeringPickering. brooke. The Seuin also (saith he) riseth in the side of Blacke|moore, and thence goeth by Sinnington foure miles from Pickering, and about a mile aboue a certeine bridge ouer Rie goeth into the streame. The Costeie in like sort springeth in the verie edge of Pickering towne, at a place called Keld head, and goeth into the Rie two miles beneath Pickering, about Kirbie minster, Finallie, Pickering water ariseth in Blackemoore, and halfe a mile beneath Pickering falleth into Costeie, meeting by the way with the Pocklington becke,Pocklington. and an other small rill or two, of whose names I haue no knowledge. Hitherto Le|land. But in mine opinion, it had béene far better to haue described them thus. Of those waters that fall into the Darwent beneath Cotehouse, the first com|meth from Swenton, the second from Ebberston, the third from Ollerston, the fourth from Thorneton & Pickering, and the fift on the other side that com|meth thither from Wintringham. For so should he haue dealt in better order, and rid his hands of them with more expedition, referring the rest also vnto their proper places.

But to procéed after mine owne maner. Being past Cotehouse, & yer the Darwent come at Wick|ham,Rie. it crosseth the Rie, which riseth of two heads, and ioining west of Locton they run through Glans|bie parke. Finallie, receiuing the Costeie,Costeie. it mée|teth at the last with an other streame increased by the fals of six waters and more yer it come into the Darwent. The most easterlie of these is called Se|uen,Seuen. and riseth (as is aforesaid) in Blackemoore, from whence it goeth by Sinnington, Murton, Norman|bie, Newsound, How, and so into the Rie. The se|cond named Dou hath his originall likewise in Blackemoore,Dou or Doue. and descending by Rasmore, Keldon and Edston (where it receiueth the Hodgebecke,Hodgebecke. that commeth by Bernesdale, Kirkedale, & Welburne) it goeth to Sawlton, and there taketh in first the Ri|coll,Ricoll. that goeth by Careton, and whereof Ridall (as some thinke, but falslie) doth séeme to take the name. Then Fesse,Fesse. which riseth aboue Bilisdale chappell, and méeteth with the Rie at the Shaking bridge, from whence they go togither vnder the Rie bridge, to Ri|uis abbeie, and thence (after it hath crossed a becke from the west) through a parke of the earle of Rut|lands to Newton, Muniton, and so to Sawton or Sawlton, as I doo find it written. Here also it ta|keth in the Holbecke brooke,Holbecke. that commeth thithex from by west by Gilling castell, and Stangraue, from whence it goeth on to Brabie, next into the Se|uen, then into the Rie, and so into the Darwent, which from thence dooth run to Wickham.

Being past Wickham, it méeteth with a water that commeth thereinto from Grinston to Sette|rington at southeast, and thence it goeth on the Mal|ton and Malton (where the prouerbe saith that a bu|shell of rie and an other of malt is woorth but six pence, carie awaie whilest you may, so as you can kéepe them from running through the sarkes) Sut|ton, Wellam, Furbie, and Kirkeham, receiuing by the waie one rill on the one side and an other on the other, whereof this commeth from Burdfall, that o|ther from Conisthorpe. From Kirkeham it goeth to Cramburne and Owsham bridge (crossing by the waie an other brooke comming from saint Edwards gore, by Faston) then to Aldbie, Buttercram (aliàs Butterham) bridge, Stamford bridge, Kexbie bridge Sutton, Ellerton, Aughton, Bubwith, Wresill, Babthorpe, and so into the Ouze, wherewith I finish the description of Darwent: sauing that I haue to let you vnderstand how Leland heard that an arme ran some time from the head of Darwent also to Scarborow, till such time as two hils betwixt which it ran, did shalder and so choke vp his course.

The Fosse (a slow streame yet able to beare a good vessell) riseth in Nemore Calaterio, Fosse: that is, Galters wood or Cawood, among the wooddie hilles, and in his descent from the higher ground, he leaueth Crake castell, on his west side: thence he goeth by Marton abbeie, Marton, Stillington, Farling|ton, Towthorpe, Erswtjc, Huntington, & at Yorke into the Ouze. The Kile riseth flat north at New|borow,Kile. from whence it goeth by Thorneton on the hill, Ruskell parke, Awne, Tollerton, and so into the Ouze about Newton vpon Ouze.Swale. The Swale is a right noble riuer, & march in some places betwéene Richmondshire and Westmerland, it riseth not far from Pendragon castell in the hilles aboue Kirke|dale, and from this towne it goeth to Kelde chap|pell, Carret house, Crackepot, Whiteside, and neere vnto Yalen taketh in the Barneie water,Barneie. which com|meth from the north east. Thence it goeth by Harca|side to Reth (where it méeteth with the Arcleie)Arcleie. and so to Flemington, Grinton, Marrike (taking in the Holgate that commeth from by south:Holgate. and in the waie to Thorpe, the Mariske becke,Mariske becke. or peraduenture Applegarth water, as Leland calleth it, that descen|deth from the north) then to Thorpe, Applegarth, Rich|mond, Easbie and Brunton.

Here by north it interteineth two or thrée waters in one chanell, called Rauenswath water, whereof the two furthest doo ioine not farre from the Dawl|tons,Rauenswath. and so go by Rauenswath, Hartfoorth, Gil|ling, and at Skebie méet with the third, comming from Richmond beaconward. By west also of Brunton, the Swale méeteth with the Rhe,Rhe. running from Resdale, and being past Brunton, it goeth to Caterijc bridge beneath Brunton, then to Ellerton, Kirkebie, Langton parua, Thirtoft, Anderbie stée|ple: and before it come vnto Gatenbie, it meeteth with the Bedall brooke, aliàs Lemings becke,Bedall aliàs Leming. that commeth west of Kellirbie, by Cunstable, Burton, Langthorpe, Bedall, and Leming chappell. From Gattenbie likewise it goeth to Mawbie, & at Bra|kenbirie receiueth the Wiske,Wiske. which is a great wa|ter, rising betwéene two parkes aboue Swanbie in one place, and southeast of Mountgrace abbeie in another; and after the confluence which is about Sid|dlebridge, goeth on betwéene the Rughtons to Ap|pleton, the Smetons, Birtbie, Hutton Coniers, Danbie, Wijc, Yafford, Warlabie, and taking in there a rill from Brunton Aluerton, it procéedeth to Otterington, Newlie, Kirbie Wiske, Newson, and Blackenburie, there méeting (as I said) with the Swale, that runneth frõ thence by Skipton bridge, Catton, Topcliffe, and Raniton, and aboue Eldmire méeteth with sundrie other rilles in one bottome, whereof the northwesterlie is called Cawdebec:Cawdebec Kebecke. the south easterlie Kebecke, which ioine est of Thorneton moore, and so go to Thorneton in the stréet, Kiluing|ton, Thruske, Sowerbie, Grastwijc, and soone after crossing another growing of the mixture of the Wil|low, and likewise of the Cuckewold beckes,Cuckwolds becke. which ioine aboue Bridforth, and running on till it come almost at Dawlton, it maketh confluence with the Swale, and go thence as one with all their samons by Thorneton bridge, Mitton vpon Swale, and so into the Ouze.

The Skell riseth out of the west two miles from Founteines abbeie,Skell. and commeth (as Leland saith) with a faire course by the one side of Rippon, as the Ure dooth on the other. And on the bankes hereof stood the famous abbeie called Founteines or Ad|fontes, so much renowmed for the lustie monks that sometimes dwelled in the same. It receiueth also the Lauer water (which riseth three miles from Kirbie,Lauer. and meeteth withall néere vnto Rippon) and finallie falleth into the Ure, a quarter of a mile beneath Rip|pon towne, & almost midwaie betwéene the North and Huicke bridges.

The Nidde,Nidde. which the booke of statutes called Ni|dor (anno 13. Edw. 1) and thereto noteth it to be in|riched with store of samon, as are also the Wheof and Aire, riseth among those hilles that lie by west north|west of Gnarresborow, fiue miles aboue Pakeleie bridge, and going in short processe of time by West|houses, Lodgehouses, Woodhall, Newhouses, Mid|lesmore, Raunsgill, Cowthouse, Gowthwall, Bure|leie, Brimham, Hampeswale, and soone after mée|ting with the Killingale becke,Killingale. it goeth after the con|fluence by Bilton parke, Gnaresbridge, Washford, Cathall, Willesthorpe, Munketon, or Nonmocke, and so into the Ouze, fouretéene miles beneath Gna|resborow, being increased by the waie with verie few or no waters of anie countenauce. Leland ha|uing said thus much of the Nidde, addeth here vnto the names or two other waters, that is to saie, the CouerCouer. and the Burne,Burne. which doo fall likewise into the Ure or Ouze. But as he saith little of the same, so a|mong all my pamphlets, I can gather no more of them, than that the first riseth six miles aboue Couer|ham by west, and falleth into the Ure, a little beneath Middleham bridge, which is two miles beneath the towne of Couerham. As for the Burne, it riseth at More hilles, and falleth into the said riuer a little be|neath Massham bridge. And so much of these two.

The Wharffe or Gwerfe ariseth aboue Ughter|shaw,Wharfe aliàs Gwerfe. from whence it runneth to Beggermons, Rosemill, Hubberham, Backden, Starbotton, Ket|tlewell, Cunniston in Kettlewell, and here it mee|teth with a rill comming from Haltongill chappell, by Arnecliffe, and ioining withall northeast of Kil|neseie crag, it passeth ouer by the lower grounds to Girsington, and receiuing a rill there also from Tresfeld parke, it proceedeth on to Brunfall bridge. Furthermore at Appletréew illegible jc, it méeteth with a rill from by north, and thence goeth to Barden towre, Bolton, Beth and Misseie hall, where it crosseth a rill comming from by west, thence to Addingham, ta|king in there also another from by west, and so to I|keleie, and receiuing yer long another by north from Denton hall, it hasteth to Weston Uauasour, Ote|leie, and Letheleie, where it taketh in the Padside,Padside. & the WashburneWashburne. (both in one streame from Lind|leie ward) and thence to Casteie chappell, and there it crosseth one from by north, and another yer long from by south, and so to Yardwood castell, Kerebie, Woodhall, Collingham, Linton, Wetherbie, Thor|patch, Newton, Tadeaster, and when it hath recei|ued the Cockebecke from southwest, that goeth by Barwie,Cockebecke. Aberfoorth, Leadhall, and Grimston, it runneth to Exton, Kirbie Wharfe, Uskell, Rither, Nunapleton, & so into the Ouze beneath Cawood, a castell belonging to the archbishop of Yorke, where he vseth oft to lie when he refresheth himselfe with change of aire and shift of habitation, for the auoi|ding of such infection as may otherwise ingender by his long abode in one place, for want of due purga|tion and airing of his house.

The Air or Arre riseth out of a lake or tarne south of Darnbrooke,Air. wherein (as I heare) is none o|ther fish but red trowt, and perch. Leland saith it riseth néere vnto Orton in Crauen, wherfore the ods is but little. It goeth therefore from thence to Maw|lam, Hamlith, Kirbie, Moldale, Calton hall, Are|ton, and so foorth till it come almost to Gargraue, there crossing the OtterburneOtterburne. water on the w illegible st, and the WinterburneWinterburne. on the north, which at Flasbie re|ceiueth a rill from Helton, as I heare. Being past Gargraue, our Air goeth on to Eshton, Elswood, and so foorth on, first receiuing a brooke from south|west (whereof one branch commeth by Marton, the o|ther by Thorneton, which meete about Broughton) then another from northeast, that runneth by Skip|ton castell. After this confluence it hasteth by ma|nifold windlesses, which caused thirteene bridges at the last to be ouer the same within a little space, to Newbiggin, Bradleie, and Kildwijc, by south east whereof it méeteth with one water from Mawsis, and Glusburne or Glukesburne,Glike. called Glike; ano|ther likewise a little beneath from Seton, beside two rilles from by north, after which confluence it run|neth by Reddlesden, and ouer against this towne the LacockeLacocke. and the WoorthWoorth. doo meet withall in one cha|nell, as the MoretonMoreton. water dooth on the north, al|though it be somewhat lower. Thence it goeth to Rishfoorth hall, and so to Bungleie, where it taketh a rill from Denholme parke to Shipeleie, and there crossing another from Thorneton, Leuenthorpe, and Bradleie, it goeth to Caluerleie, to Christall, and so to Léedes, where one water runneth there into by north from Wettlewood, & two other from by south in one chanell, wherof the first hath two armes, of which the one commeth from Pudseie chappell, the other from Adwalton, their confluence being made aboue Farnesleie hall. The other likewise hath two heads, whereof one is aboue Morleie, the other commeth from Domingleie, and méeting with the first not far southwest of Leedes, they fall both into the Air, and so run with the same to Swillington, and there taking in the Rodwell becke south of the bridge, it proceedeth to Ollerton, Castleford, Brotherton & Ferribridge, there receiuing the Went, a becke from Pontefract or Pomfret,Redwell. Went. which riseth of diuerse heads, wherof one is among the cole pits. Thence to Beall, Berkin, Kellington, middle Hodleseie, Templehirst, Gowl|dall, Snath, Rawcliffe, Newland, Armie, and so into the Ouze with an indifferent course. Of all the ri|uers in the north, Leland (in so manie of his bookes as I haue séene) saith least of this. Mine annotations also are verie slender in the particular waters wher|bie it is increased: wherfore I was compelled of ne|cessitie to conclude euen thus with the description of the same, and had so left it in déed, if I had not recei|ued one other note more to ad vnto it (euen when the leafe was at the presse) which saith as followeth in maner word for word.

There is a noble water that falleth into Air, whose head (as I take it) is about Stanford. From whence it goeth to Creston chappell, to Lingfield, and there about receiuing one rill neere Elfrabright bridge, and also the Hebden by northwest, it goeth to Brear|leie hall,Hebden. and so taking in the third by north, it procee|deth on eastward by Sorsbie bridge chappell (and there a rill from southwest) and so to Coppeleie hall. Beneath this place I find also that it receiueth one rill from Hallifax, which riseth from two heads, and two other from southwest, of which one commeth by Baresland, and Staneland in one chanell, as I read. So that after this confluence the aforesaid water go|eth on toward Cowford bridge, and as it taketh in two rilles aboue the same on the north side, so be|neath that bridge there falleth into it a pretie arme increased by sundrie waters cõming from by south, as from Marsheden chappell, from Holinesworth chappell, and Kirke-Heton, each one growing of sun|drie heads; whereof I would saie more, if I had more intelligence of their seuerall gates and passages.

But to proceed. From Cowford bridge it runneth to Munfeld, and receiuing yer long one rill from Leuersage hall, and another from Burshall by Dewesburie, it goeth on northeast of Thornehull, south of Horbirie thornes, and thereabout crossing one rill from by south from Woller by new Milner Dam, and soone after another from northwest, cal|led Chald;Chald. rising in the Peke hils, whereon Wake|field standeth, and likewise the third from southeast, and Waterton hall, it goeth by Warmefield, New|land, Alto illegible es, and finallie into the Aire, west of Ca|stelworth, as I learne. What the name of this riuer should be as yet I heare not, and therefore no mar|uell that I doo not set it downe, yet is it certeine that it is called Chald, after his cõfluence with the Chald, and finallie Chaldair or Chaldar after it hath ioined with the Air or Ar. But what is this for his denomi|nations from the head? It shall suffice therefore thus farre to haue shewed the course thereof: and as for the name I passe it ouer vntill another time.

The Trent is one of the most excellent riuers in the land,Trent. not onelie for store of samon, sturgeon, and sundrie other kinds of delicate fish wherewith it dooth abound, but also for that it is increased with so manie waters, as for that onelie cause it may be compared wither with the Ouze or Sauerne, I meane the second Ouze, whose course I haue latelie described. It riseth of two heads which ioine beneath Norton in the moore, and from thence goeth to Hil|ton abbeie, Bucknell church, and aboue Stoke recei|ueth in the Foulebrooke water, which commeth thi|ther from Tunstall,Foulebrooke. by Shelton, and finallie making a confluence they go to Hanfleet, where they méet with another on the same side, that descendeth from Newcastell vnder Line, which Leland taketh to be the verie Trent it selfe, saieng: that it riseth in the hils aboue Newcastell, as may be séene by his com|mentaries.

But to proceed. At Trentham, or not farre from thence, it crosseth a riueret from northeast, whose name I know not, & thence going to Stone Aston, Stoke Burston, the Sandons and Weston, a little aboue Shubburne & Hawood, it receiueth the Sow, a great chanell increased with sundrie waters, which I will here describe, leauing the Trent at Shub|burne, till I come backe againe.Sow. The Sow descen|deth from the hilles, aboue Whitemoore chappell, and goeth by Charleton, and Stawne; and beneath Shal|ford ioineth with another by northeast that commeth from bishops Offeleie, Egleshall, Chesbie, Raunton. After this confluence also it runneth by Bridgeford, Tillington, & Stafford, beneath which towne it cros|seth the Penke becke, that riseth aboue Nigleton,Penke. & Berwood, & aboue Penke bridge vniteth it selfe with another comming from Knightleie ward, by Gnas|hall church, Eaton: and so going foorth as one, it is not long yer they fall into Sow, after they haue pas|sed Draiton, Dunstan, Acton, and Banswich, where loosing their names, they with the Sow & the Sow with them doo ioine with the Trent, at Shubburne, vpon the southerlie banke.

From Shubburne the Trent goeth on to little Harwood (meeting by the waie one rill at Ousleie bridge, and another south of Riddlesleie) thence by Hawksberie, Mauestane, Ridware, and so toward Yoxhall; where I must state a while to consider of o|ther waters, wherewith I meet in this voiage. Of these therefore the lesser commeth in by south from Farwall, the other from by west, a faire streame, and increased with two brooks, whereof the first riseth in Nedewood forrest, northeast of Haggersleie parke, whereinto falleth another west of Hamsteed Rid|ware, called Blith,Blith. which riseth among the hilles in Whateleie moore, aboue Weston Conie, and thence going to the same towne, it commeth to Druicote, aliàs Dracote, Painsleie, Gratwitch, Grimleie, Ald|maston, Hamstéed, Ridware, and finallie into the Trent, directlie west of Yoxhall, which runneth also from thence, & leauing kings Bromleie in a parke (as I take it) on the left hand, and the Blacke water comming from Southton and Lichfield on the right, goeth streightwaie to Catton, where it mée|teth with the Tame,Tame. whose course I describe as fol|loweth.

It riseth in Staffordshire (as I remember) not farre from Petteshall, and goeth foorth by Hamsted, toward Pirihall and Brimichams Aston, taking in by the waie a rill on each side, whereof the first grow|eth through a confluence of two waters, the one of them comming from Tipton, the other from Aldbu|rie, and so running as one by Wedburie till they fall into the same. The latter commeth from Woolfhall, and ioineth with it on the left hand. After this, and when it is past the aforesaid places, it crosseth in like sort a rill from Smethike ward: thence it goeth to Yarneton hall, beneath which it méeteth with the Rhée, and thence through the parke, at Parke hall by Watercote,Rhée. Cote. crossing finallie the Cole, whose head is in the forrest by Kingesnorton wood, and hath this course, whereof I now giue notice. It riseth (as I said) in the forrest by Kingesnorton wood, and going by Yareleie and Kingeshirst, it méeteth betweene that and the parke, with a water running betwéene Helmedon and Sheldon.

Thence it passeth on to Coleshull, by east where|of it ioineth with a brooke,Blith. mounting southwest of Golthull called Blith, which going by Henwood and Barston, crosseth on ech side of Temple Balshall, a rill, whereof one commeth thorough the Quéenes parke or chase that lieth by west of Kenelworth, & the other by Kenelworth castell it selfe, from about Hase|lie parke. After which confluences it procéedeth in like maner to Hampton in Arden, and the Pac|kingtons, and so to Coleshull, where it meeteth with the Cole, that going a little further, vniteth it selfe with the Burne on the one side (whereinto runneth a water comming from Ansleie on the east)Burne. and soone after on the other dooth fall into the Tame, that which some call the Rhee,Rhée. a common name to all waters that mooue and run from their head. For foreign in Gréeke is to flow and run, although in truth it is proper to the sea onelie to flow. Leland nameth the Brimicham water, whose head (as I heare) is a|boue Norffield, so that his course shuld be by Kinges|norton, Bremicham, Budston hall, till it fall beneath Yarneton into the Tame it selfe, that runneth after these confluences on by Lée, Kingesbirie parke, and going by east of Oraiton, Basset parke, to Falkes|leie bridge, it méeteth with another water called Burne, also comming from Hammerwich church, by Chesterford, Shenton, Thickebrowne, and the north side of Oraition, Basset parke, wherof I spake before. From hence our Tame runneth on to Tam|worth, there taking in the Anchor by east, whose de|scription I had in this maner deliuered vnto me.

It riseth aboue Burton, from whence it goeth by Nonneaton,Anchor. Witherleie and Atherstone. Yer long also it taketh in a water from northeast, which com|meth by Huglescote, Shapton, Cunston, Twicrosse (vniting it selfe with a water from Bosworth) Rat|cliffe, & so to the Anchor, which after this confluence passeth by Whittendon, Crindon, Pollesworth, Ar|mington, Tamworth, & so into Tame, that hasteth to Hopwash, Comberford hall, Telford, and soone af|ter crossing a rill that riseth short of Swinfield hall, and commeth by Festirike, it runneth not farre from Eroxhall, and so to Catton, thereabout receiuing his last increase not worthie to be omitted. This brooke is named Mese,Mese. and it riseth in the great parke that li|eth betwéene Worthington, and Smothike, from whence also it goeth by Ashhie de la Souche, Pac|kington, Mesham, and Stretton, and therabout cros|sing a rill about Nethersale grange, from Ouer|sale by east, it proceedeth by Chilcote, Clifton, Crox|all, into the Thame, and both out of hand into the maine riuer a mile aboue Repton. Leland writing of this riuer (as I earst noted) saith thereof in this wise. Into the Thame also runneth the Bremicham brooke, which riseth foure or fiue miles about Bremi|cham in the Blacke hils in Worcestershire, and go|eth into the aforesaid water a mile aboue Crud|worth bridge. Certes (saith he) this Bremicham is a towne mainteined chieflie by smiths, nailers, cut|lers, edgetoole forgers, lorimers or bitmakers, which haue their iron out of Stafford and Warw illegible jc shires, and illegible oles also out of the first countie. Hitherto Le|land. Now to resume the Trent, which being grow|en to some greatnesse, goeth on to Walton, Drake|low, and there crossing a water that commeth by Nowbold hall, it runneth to Stapenell, Winshull, Wightmere, and Newton South, where it recei|ueth two chanels within a short space, to be described apart.

The first of these is called the Dou or Doue, it ri|seth about the thrée shires méere,Dou. and is as it were limes betweene Stafford and Darbishires, vntill it come at the Trent. Descending therefore from the head, it goeth by Earlesbooth, Pilsburie grange; Hartington, Wolscot, Eaton, Hunsington grange; and aboue Thorpe receiueth the Manifold water,Manifold. so called, bicause of the sundrie crinckling rills that it receiueth, and turnagaines that it selfe sheweth be|fore it come at the Dou. Rising therefore not farre from Are edge crosse (in the bottome thereby) it run|neth from thence to Longmore, Shéene, Warslow chappell, and Welton, Beneath Welton also it ta|keth in the Hansleie water that commeth out of Blackemoore hilles to Watersall,Hansleie. where it falleth in|to the ground: and afterward mounting againe is receiued into the Manifold, north of Throwleie (as I heare) which goeth from thence to Ilam, and aboue Thorpe dooth cast it selfe into Dou. Hauing therefore met togither after this maner, the Dou procéedeth on to Maplington, beneath which it crosseth one water descending from Brassington by Fennie Bentleie, and another somewhat lower that commeth from Hooston hall by Hognaston and Ashburne, and then going to Matterfield, Narburie, Ellaston, Rawston Rowcester, it meeteth with the Churne,Churne. euen here to be described before I go anie further. It riseth a good waie aboue Delacrasse abbie, and comming thither by Hellesbie wood, it taketh in the Dunsmere,Dunsmere. be|tweene Harracrasse and Leike.

Thence it goeth to the Walgrange, and a little beneath receiueth the Yendor that commeth from a|boue Harton,Yendor. thence to Cheddleton, and hauing cros|sed the Ashenhirst brooke aboue Cnutes hall,Aula Canuti. Ashenhirst. it run|neth by Ypston, Froghall, Below hill, Alton castell, Préestwood, and at Rowcester falleth into the Dou, which yer long also receiueth a rill from Crowsden,Teine. and then going to Eton méeteth first with the Teine that commeth thither from each side of Chedleie by Teinetwone, Bramhirst and Stranehill. Secondlie with the Uncester or Uttoxeter water,Uttoxeter or Uncester. and then go|ing on to Merchington, Sidberie, Cawlton, it cros|seth a brooke from Sidmister college, by Saperton. From this confluence in like sort it passeth foorth to Tilberie castell, Mars illegible on, and at Edergton méeteth with the water that commeth from Yeldersleie by Longford (where into runneth another that commeth from Hollington) and so to Hilton. These waters be|ing thus ioined, and manie ends brought into one, the Dou it selfe falleth yer long likewise into the Trent, aboue Newton Souch. So that the maine riuer being thus inlarged, goeth onwards with his course, and betwéene Willington and Repton mee|teth with two waters on sundrie sides, whereof that which falleth in by Willington, riseth néere Dawbe|rie Lies, and runneth by Trusselie and Ashe: the o|ther that entereth aboue Repton, descendeth from Hartesburne, so that the Trent being past these, ha|steth to Twiford, Inglebie, Staunton, Weston, Newton, and Aston, yer long also méeting with the Darwent; next of all to be dispatched.Darwent. The Dar|went, or (to vse the verie British word) Dowrgwine (but in Latine Fluuius Dereuantanus) riseth plaine west, néere vnto the edge of Darbishire, aboue Blackwell a market towne, and from the head run|neth to the New chappell, within a few miles after it be risen. From hence moreouer it goeth by Howden house, Darwent chappell, Yorkeshire bridge, and at Witham bridge dooth crosse the Neue or Nouius that commeth from Newstole hill,Neue. by Netherburgh, Hope (crossing there one rill from Castelton, ano|ther from Bradwell, and the third at Hathersage, from Stonie ridge hill) and so goeth on to Padleie, Stockehall, receiuing a rill by the waie from by west, to Stonie Middleton, and Baslow, and hauing here taken in the Burbrooke on the one side, and an|other from Halsop on the other,Burbroke. it goeth to Chat|worth and to Rowseleie, where it is increased with the Wie comming from by west, and also a rill on the east, a little higher. But I will describe the Wie before I go anie further.

The Wie riseth aboue Buxston well,Wie. and there is increased with the Hawkeshow,Hawkeshow. and the WileWile. brooke, whose heads are also further distant from the edge of Darbishire than that of Wie, and races som|what longer, though neither of them be worthie to be accompted long. For the Wile, hauing two heads, the one of them is not farre aboue the place where Wilebecke abbeie stood, the other is further off by west, about Wilebecke towne: and finallie ioining in one they runne to Cuckneie village, where recei|uing a becke that commeth downe from by west, it holdeth on two miles further, there taking in the se|cond rill, and so resort to Rufford, or the Manbecke. Unto this also doo other two rills repaire,Rufford aliàs Manbecke. wherof the one goeth through and the other hard by Maunsfield, of which two also this latter riseth west about foure miles, and runneth foorth to Clipston (three miles lower) and so likewise to Rufford, whereof I will speake hereafter. In the meane time to returne a|gaine to the Wie. From Buxston well, it runneth to Staddon, Cowdale, Cowlow, New medow, Mil|houses, Bankewell, and Haddon hall, beneath which it receiueth the Lath kell,Lathkell. that runneth by Ouerhad|don, and the Bradford,Bradford. both in one bottome after they be ioined in one at Alport. And this is the first great water that our Darwent dooth méet withall. Being therefore past the Rowsleies, the said Darwent go|eth to Stancliffe, Darleie in the peake, Wensleie, Smitterton hall, and at Matlocke taketh in a rill by northeast, as it dooth another at Crumford that go|eth by Boteshall.

From Mattocke, it procéedeth to Watston, or Watsond, Well bridge, Alderwash, and ioineth with another streame called Amber comming in from by north by Amber bridge,Amber. whose description shall insue in this wise, as I find it. The head of Am|ber is aboue Edleston hall, or (as Leland saith) est of Chesterfield, and comming from thence by Middle|ton to Ogston hall, it taketh withall another brooke, descending from Hardwijc wood, by Alton and Streton. Thence it goeth to Higham, Brackenfield, and aboue Dale bridge meeteth with a brooke run|ning from Hucknalward to Shireland parke side, there crossing the Moreton becke,Moreton. and so to Alferton, except I name it wrong. From Dale bridge it go|eth by Wingfeld, to Hedge, Fritchlin, and so into Darwent, taking the water withall that descendeth from Swanswtjc by Pentridge, as Leland doth re|member. From this confluence likewise it runneth to Belper, where it méeteth with a rill comming from Morleie parke: thence to Makenie, and at Duf|feld,Eglesburne. receiueth the Eglesburne, which ariseth about Wirkesworth or Oresworth, but in the same parish out of a rocke, and commeth in by Turnedich. From Duffeld, it passeth to Bradsall, Darleie abbeie, and at Darbie taketh in a rill comming from Mirkaston by Weston vnderwood, Kidleston and Merton. If a man should say that Darwent riuer giueth name to Darbie towne, he should not well know how euerie one would take it, and peraduenture therby he might happen to offend some. In the meane time I beleeue it, let other iudge as pleaseth them, sith my coniec|ture can preiudice none. To proceed therefore. From Darbie it runneth on by Aluaston, Ambaston, the Welles, and so into Trent, which goeth from hence to Sawleie, and north of Thrumpton taketh in the Sore, a faire streame, and not worthie to be ouerpas|sed.Sora, or Surus.

It riseth in Leicestershire aboue Wigton, and thence goeth to Sharneford, Sapcote, and beneath Staunton taketh in a rill that commeth by Doun|ton and Broughton Astleie. Thence to Marleborow, and before it come to Eston, crosseth another on the same side (descending by Burton, Glen, Winstow, Kilbie and Blabie) then to Leircester towne, Bel|graue, Burstall, Wanlip; and yer it come at Cus|sington or Cositon, crosseth the Eie,Eie. which riseth néere Occam aboue Bramston, Leland calleth one of these rilles Croco. going by Knawstow, So|merbie; Pickwell, Whitesonden; and beneath (a litle) receiueth a rill on the right hand from Coldnorton. Thence to Stapleford, & soone after crossing a brooke from aboue Sproxton, Coson, Garthorpe and Sax|bie, it runneth to Wiuerbie, Brentingbie; and yer it come at Milton, meeteth with two other small rilles, from the right hand whereof one commeth from a|bout Caldwell by Thorpe Arnold, and Waltham in the Would; the other from Skaleford ward, and from Melton goeth by Sisonbie, there méeting with another from northeast ouer against Kirbie Hellars, after which time the name of Eie is changed into Warke or Urke, and so continueth vntill it come at the Soure.Warke, Urke, or Wr illegible ke. From hence also it goeth to Asterbie, Radgale, Habie, Trussington, Ratcliffe; and soone after crosseth sundrie waters not verie farre in sun|der, whereof one commeth from Oueston, by Twi|ford, Ashbie, and Gadesbie; another from Losebie, by Baggraue, and Crawston, and ioining with the first at Ouennihow, it is not long yer they fall into the Warke. The second runneth from Engarsbie, by Barkeleie, and Sison. But the third and greatest of the thrée, is a chanell increased with thrée waters, whereof one commeth from Norton by Burton, Kil|bie, Foston and Blabie, the other from Dounton by Broughton and Astleie, and méeting with the third from Sapcoth, and stonie Staunton, they run togi|ther by Narborow, and soone after ioining aboue El|ston, with the first of the thrée, they go as one by El|ston to Leircester, Belgraue, Wanlip, and aboue Cussington doo fall into the Warke, and soone after into the Soure. The Soure in like sort going from thence to mount Sorrell, & taking in another brooke southwest from Leircester forrest, by Glenfield, Au|stie, Thurcaston and Rodelie, ioineth with the Soure, which goeth from thence to mount Sorrell, and Qua|rendon (where it taketh in a water comming from Charnewood forrest, and goeth by Bradegate and Swithland) and then procéedeth to Cotes, Lughbo|row and Stanford, there also taking in one rill out of Notinghamshire by northeast; and soone after an|other from southwest, comming from Braceden to Shepesheued, Garrington, & Dighlie grange, and likewise the third from Worthington, by Disworth, long Whitton, and Wathorne. Finallie, after these confluences, it hasteth to Sutton, Kingston, and Ratcliffe, and so into the Trent.

These things being thus brought togither, and we now resuming the discourse of the same riuer, it dooth after his méeting with the Some, proceed with|all to Barton, where it taketh in the Erwash, which riseth about Kirbie,Erwash. and thence goeth to Sel illegible on, Wansbie, Codnor castell, Estwood, and crossing a water from Be illegible all, runneth to Coshall, Trowe illegible (and there taking in another rill comming from He|nor by Shipleie) it proceedeth on to Stapleford, long Eaton, and so into the Trent. This bring soone it goeth to Clifton, and yer it come at Wilford, it mee|teth with a brooke that passeth from Staunton by Bonnie and Rodington, and thence to Notingham, where it crosseth the Line, wh illegible riseth aboue New|sted; and passing by Papple illegible , H illegible eknall, Bafford, Radford and Linton, next of all to Thorpe & Farm|don, where it brancheth and maketh an Iland, and into the smaller of them goeth a brooke from Beuer castell, which rising betweene east Well and Eaton in Leircester is called the Dene,Dene. and from thence runneth by Bramston to Knipton, & beneath Knip|ton méeteth with a brooke that commeth by west of illegible roxston, and thence holdeth on with his course, be|twéene Wille illegible horpe and Beuer castell aforesaid and so to Bottesworth, Normanton, Killington Shilton, there receiuing the Snite from by south (whose head is néere Clauston,Snite. & course from thence by Hickling, Langer, Whalton, Orston, and Flare|borow) and yer long another comming from Bing|ham, and Sibthorpe. Thence our Trent runneth to Coxam, Hawton, Newarke castell, and so to Win|thorpe, where the branches are reunited, and thence go on by Holme to Cromwell (and soone after taking in a brooke comming from Bilsthorpe, by Kersall, Cawnton, Norwell and Willowbie) to Carlton, and to Sutton, there making a litle Ile, then to Grinton, where it toucheth a streame on ech side, whereof one commeth from Morehouse by Weston & Gresthorpe, another from Langthorpe, by Collingham, and Bos|thorpe. From hence likewise it passeth to Clifton, Newton, Kettlethorpe, Torkeseie, Knath, Guinsbo|row, Waltrith, Stockwith; and leauing Axholme on the left hand, it taketh withall Hogdike water out of the Ile, and so goeth foorth to Wildsworth, East|ferrie, Frusworth, Burringham, Guinmeis, Hix|burgh, Burton, Walcote, and at Ankerburie into the Humber, receiuing the swift Doue by the waie, which for his noblenesse is not to be ouerpassed, espe|ciallie for that Anno 1536 Hen. 8, 28, it was (by Gods prouidence) a staie of great bloudshed like to haue fallen out betwéene the kings side and the rebelles of the north, in a quarrell about religion. For the night before the battell should haue béene stricken, and without anie apparent cause (a little showre of raineA miracle. excepted farre vnpossible vpon such a sudden to haue made so great a water) the said riuer arose so high, & ran with such vehemencie, that on the morow the ar|mies could not ioine to trie & fight it out: after which a pacification insued, and those countries were left in quiet. Secondlie, the description hereof is not to be ouerpassed, bicause of the fine grasse which grow|eth vpon the banks thereof, which is so fine and bata|ble, that there goeth a prouerbe vpon the same; so oft as a man will commend his pasture, to say that there is no better féed on Doue banke: that maketh it al|so the more famous.

The Doue therefore riseth in Yorkeshire amongDoue. the Peke hilles, and hauing receiued a water com|ming by Ingbirchworth (where the colour thereof is verie blacke) it goeth to Pennistone, which is foure miles from the head: then by Oxspring to Thurgo|land, and soone after (ioining by the waie with the Midhop water,Midhop. that runneth by Midhop chappell, and Hondshelfe) it méeteth with another comming from Bowsterston chappell. Then goeth it by Waddesleie wood to Waddesleie bridge, and at Aluerton recei|ueth the Bradfeld water. Then passeth it to Crokes, and so to Sheffeld castell (by east whereof it receiueth a brooke from by south that commeth through Shef|feld parke.) Thence it procéedeth to Westford bridge, Briksie bridge; and southwest of Timsleie receiueth the Cowleie streame that runneth by Ecclefield.Cowleie. Next of all it goeth to Rotheram, where it méeteth with the Rother,Rother. a goodlie water, whose head is in Darbieshire about Pilsleie, from whence it goeth vnder the name of Doleie, till it come at Rotheram, by north Winfield church, Wingerworth, and Fore|land hall, twelue miles from Rotheram, to Chester|ford, where it méeteth with the Iber,Iber. and BramptonBrampton. water that commeth by Holme hall, both in one cha|nell. Thence it runneth to Topton castell, and yer long crossing one water comming from Dronefeld by Whittington on the one side, and the second from aboue Brimington on the other, it goeth through Stalie parke, and soone after méeteth with the Craw|leie becke, whereof I find this note.

The Crawleie riseth not farre from Hardw illegible jc,Crawleie. and going by Stanesbie and Woodhouse, it receiueth aboue Netherhorpe, one water on the one side com|ming from the Old parke, and another from Barlbo|row hill on the other, that runneth not farre from Woodthorpe. After this confluence likewise they run as one into the Rother, which hasteth from thence to Eckington (there crossing a rill that runneth by Bir|leie hill) and so to Kilmarsh, in the confines of Dar|bieshire,Gunno. where it taketh in the Gunno from by east. Thence to Boughton, vniting it selfe therabout with another by west from Gledles, called Mesebrooke,Mesebrooke. which diuideth Yorkeshire from Darbieshire, and so runneth to Treton, Whiston, there taking in a rill from Aston, and so to Rotheram, where it méeteth with the Doue, and from whence our Doue (yéelding plentie of samon all the waie as it passeth) hasteth to Aldwa illegible ke, Swaiton, Mexburge, there taking in the Darne, which I will next describe, and staie with the Doue, vntill I haue finished the same. It riseth at Combworth, and so commeth about by Bretton hall, to Darton ward, where it crosseth a water that run|neth from Gonthwake hall, by Cawthorne vnited of two heads. From hence it goeth to Burton grange, then to Drax, where it toucheth with a water from southwest, & then goeth to Derfield and Goldthorpe: but yer it come to Sprotborow, it vniteth it selfe with a faire riuer, increased by diuerse waters, before it come at the Doue, & whereinto it falleth (as I heare) northeast of Mexburgh. After this confluence like|wise the Doue goeth by Sprothorow, to Warnes|worth, Doncaster, Wheatleie (there méeting with the Hampall créeke on the northeast side,Hampall. which riseth east of Kirbie) thence to Sandall, Kirke Sandall, Bran|with ferrie, Stanford, Fishlake, and so to Thuorne or Thurne, where it crosseth the Idle (whose description followeth) and finallie into Trent, and so into the Humber.

But before I deale with the description of the Idle, I will adde somewhat of the Rume, a faire water. For though the description thereof be not so exactlie deliuered me as I looked for; yet such as it is I will set downe, conferring it with Lelands booke, and hel|ping their defect so much as to me is possible. It ri|seth by south of Maunsfield, fiue miles from Rumford abbeie, and when the streame commeth neere the ab|beie, it casteth it selfe abroad and maketh a faire lake. After this it commeth againe into a narrow chanell, and so goeth on to Rumford village, carrieng the Budbie and the Gerberton waters withall.Budbie Gerberton. From thence, and with a méetlie long course, it goeth to Bawtrie or Uautrie, a market towne in Notting|hamshire, fiue miles from Doncaster, and so into the Trent. Beneath Rumford also commeth in the Girt, which goeth vnto Southwell milles,Girt. and so into the Trent. Now as concerning our Idle.

The Idle, which some call Brier streame,Idle. riseth at Sutton in Ashfield, from whence it runneth to Maunsfield, Clipston & Allexton, where it taketh in a water that riseth in the forrest, one mile north of Bledworth, and runneth on by Rughford abbeie, till it come to Allexton.Manbecke. The forresters call this Man|becke, whereof Leland also speaketh, who describeth it in this maner. Manbrooke riseth somewhere about Linthirst wood, from whence it goeth to Blisthorpe, and so to Allerton. But to procéed. The Idle hauing taken in the Manbecke, it runneth to Bothomsall, by Boughton, & Perlethorpe: but yer it come there, it méeteth the Meding Maiden, or Midding brooke, which rising about Teuersall,Meding becke. goeth to Pleasleie, Nettleworth, Sawcan, Warsop, Budleie, Thursbie, Bothomsall, and so into the Idle. After this it procee|deth to Houghton, west Draiton, but yer it touch at Graunston or Gaunston, it taketh in the Wilie,Wilie. which commeth from Clowne, to Creswell, Hol|becke, Woodhouse, Wilebecke, Normenton, Elsleie, Graunston, and so into the Idle. Being thus increa|sed, the Idle runneth on to Idleton, Ordsall, Retford, Bollam, Tilneie, Matterseie abbeie, and so to Baw|trie, where it méeteth another from the shire Okes, that riseth aboue Geitford, passeth on to Worksop (or Radfurth) Osberton,Blith. Bilbie, and Blith, there vni|ting it selfe with thrée rilles in one bottome, whereof one commeth from Waldingwell to Careleton, and so thorough a parke to Blith towne, another from by west Furbecke thrée miles, and so to Blith: but the third out of the White water néere to Blith, and there being vnited they passe on to Scrobie, and so into the Idle.

From hence it runneth on to Missen, to Sad|lers bridge, and next of all to Santoft, where it mée|teth with the Sandbecke,Sandbecke. which rising not farre from Sandbecke towne, passeth by Tickhill, Ro|sington bridge, Brampton, Rilholme, Lindholme, and one mile south of Santoft into the Idle water, which runneth from thence to Thorne, where it mée|teth with the Doue, and so with it to Crowleie. Fi|nallie, inuironing the Ile of Areholme, it goeth vn|to Garthorpe, Focorbie, & so into the Trent. Leland writing of the Wilie, Wile, or Gwilie (as some write it) saith thus therof. The Wile hath two heads, whereof one is not farre aboue the place where Wil|becke abbeie stood; the other riseth further off by west aboue Welbecke or Wilebecke towne: finallie ioi|ning in one, they runne to Cuckeneie village, where crossing a becke that commeth in from by west, it holdeth on two miles further, there taking in the se|cond rill, and so resort to Rufford. To this riuer like|wise (saith he) doo two other waters repaire, whereof the one goeth hard by Maunsfield (rising foure miles from thence by west) and then com|meth thrée miles lower to Rufford; the other (so far as I remem|ber) goeth quite through the towne.

_THe aire (for the most part) throughout the Iland is such,The aire of Britaine. as by reason in maner of con|tinuall clouds, is reputed to be grosse, and nothing so plea|sant as that is of the maine. Howbeit, as they which af|firme these things, haue one|lie respect to the impediment or hinderance of the sunne beames, by the interposition of the clouds and oft ingrossed aire: so experience teacheth vs, that it is no lesse pure, wholesome, and commodious, than is that of other countries, and (as Caesar himselfe here|to addeth) much more temperate in summer than that of the Galles, from whom he aduentured hither. Neither is there anie thing found in the aire of our region, that is not vsuallie seene amongst other na|tions lieng beyond the seas. Wherefore, we must néeds confesse, that the situation of our Iland (for be|nefit of the heauens) is nothing inferiour to that of anie countrie of the maine, where so euer it lie vnder the open firmament. And this Plutarch knew full well, who affirmeth a part of the Elistan fields to be found in Britaine, and the Iles that are situate a|bout it in the Ocean.

The soile of Britaine is such,The soile. as by the testimonies and reports both of the old and new writers, and ex|perience also of such as now inhabit the same, is ve|rie fruitfull; and such in deed as bringeth foorth manie commodities, whereof other countries haue néed, and yet it selfe (if fond nicenesse were abolished) néed|lesse of those that are dailie brought from other pla|ces. Neuerthelesse it is more inclined to féeding and grasing, than profitable for tillage, and bearing of corne; by reason whereof the countrie is woonderful|lie replenished with neat, and all kind of cattell: and such store is there also of the same in euerie place, that the fourth part of the land is scarselie manured for the prouision and maintenance of graine. Certes this fruitfulnesse was not vnknowne vnto the Bri|tons long before Caesars time, which was the cause wherefore our predecessors liuing in those daies in maner neglected tillage, and liued by féeding and gra|sing onelie. The grasiers themselues also then dwel|led in mooueable villages by companies, whose cu|stome was to diuide the ground amongst them, and each one not to depart from the place where his lot laie (a thing much like to the Irish Criacht) till by ea|ting vp of the countrie about him,Criacht. he was inforced to remooue further, and séeke for better pasture. And this was the British custome (as I learne) at first. It hath béene commonlie reported, that the ground of Wales is neither so fruitfull as that of England, neither the soile of Scotland so bountifull as that of Wales: which is true, for corne and for the most part: otherwise, there is so good ground in some parts of Wales, as is in England, albeit the best of Scotland be scarselie comparable to the meane of either of both. Howbeit, as the bountie of the Scotish dooth faile in some respect, so dooth it surmount in other; God and nature hauing not appointed all countries to yéeld foorth like commodities.

But where our ground is not so good as we would wish, we haue (if néed be) sufficient helpe to cherish our ground withall, and to make it more fruitfull, For beside the compest that is carried out of the hus|bandmens yards, ditches, ponds, doouehouses, or ci|ties and great townes: we haue with vs a kind of white marle, which is of so great force, that if it be cast ouer a péece of land but once in thrée score years, it shall not need of anie further compesting. Hereof also dooth Plinie speake,Marle. lib. 17. cap. 6, 7, 8, where he affirmeth that our marle indureth vpon the earth by the space of fourescore yeares: insomuch that it is laid vpon the same but once in a mans life, whereby the owner shall not need to trauell twise in procuring to commend and better his soile. He calleth it Mar|ga, and making diuerse kinds thereof, he finallie commendeth ours, and that of France, aboue all o|ther, which lieth sometime a hundred foot déepe, and farre better than the scattering of chalke vpon the same, as the Hedui and Pictones did in his time, or as some of our daies also doo practise: albeit diuerse doo like better to cast on lime, but it will not so long indure, as I haue heard reported.

There are also in this Iland great plentie of fresh riuers and streames,Plentie of riuers. as you haue heard alreadie, and these throughlie fraught with all kinds of delicate fish accustomed to be found in riuers. The whole Ile likewise is verie full of hilles,Hilles. of which some (though not verie manie) are of exceeding heigth, and diuerse extending themselues verie far from the beginning; as we may see by Shooters hill, which rising east of London, and not farre from the Thames, runneth a|long the south side of the Iland westward, vntill it come to Cornewall. Like vnto these also are the Crowdon hils, which though vnder diuers names (as also the other from the Peke) doo run into the borders of Scotland. What should I speake of the Cheniot hilles, which reach twentie miles in length? of the blacke mounteines in Wales, which go fromHere lacks toHere lacks miles at the least in length? of the Cle hilles in Shropshire, which come within foure miles of Lud|low, and are diuided from some part of Worcester by the Teme? of the Grames in Scotland, and of our Chiltren, which are eightéene miles at the least from one end of them, which reach from Henlie in Oxford|shire to Dunstable in Bedfordshire, and are verie well replenished with wood and corne? notwithstan|ding that the most part yéeld a sweet short grasse, profitable for shéepe. Wherein albeit they of Scot|land doo somewhat come behind vs, yet their out|ward defect is inwardlie recompensed, not onelie with plentie of quarries (and those of sundrie kinds of marble, hard stone, and fine alabaster) but also rich mines of mettall, as shall be shewed hereafter.

In this Iland likewise the winds are commonlie more strong and fierce,Winds. than in anie other places of the maine, which Cardane also espied: and that is of|ten séene vpon the naked hilles, not garded with trées to beare and kéepe it off. That grieuous incon|uenience also inforceth our nobilitie,Building. gentrie, and communaltle, to build their houses in the vallies, lea|uing the high grounds vnto their corne and cattell, least the cold and stormie blasts of winter should bréed them greater annoiance: whereas in other re|gions each one desireth to set his house aloft on the hill, not onlie to be seene a farre off, and cast forth his beames of statelie and curious workemanship into euerie quarter of the countrie; but also (in hot ha|bitations) for coldnesse sake of the aire, sith the heat is neuer so vehement on the hill top as in the vallie, because the reuerberation of the sunne beames ei|ther reacheth not so farre as the highest, or else be|commeth not so strong as when it is reflected vpon the lower soile.

But to leaue our buildings vnto the purposed place (which notwithstanding haue verie much in|creased,Husbandrie amended. I meane for curiositie and cost, in England, Wales, and Scotland, within these few yeares) and to returne to the soile againe. Certeinelie it is euen now in these our daies growne to be much more fruitfull, than it hath béene in times past. The cause is for that our countriemen are growne to be more painefull, skilfull, and carefull through recompense of gaine, than heretofore they haue béene: insomuch that my Synchroni or time fellows can reape at this present great commoditie in a little roome; whereas of late yeares, a great compasse hath yéelded but small profit, and this onelie through the idle and ne|gligent occupation of such, as dailie manured and had the same in occupieng. I might set downe exam|ples of these things out of all the parts of this Iland, that is to saie, manie of England, more out of Scot|land, but most of all out of Wales: in which two last rehearsed, verie little other food and liuelihood was woont to be looked for (beside flesh) more than the soile of it selfe, and the cow gaue; the people in the meane time liuing idelie, dissolutelie, and by picking and stealing one from another. All which vices are now (for the most part) relinquished, so that each nation manureth hir owne with triple commoditie, to that it was before time.

The pasture of this Iland is according to the na|ture and bountie of the soile,Pasture. whereby in most places it is plentifull, verie fine, batable, and such as either fatteth our cattell with speed, or yéeldeth great abun|dance of milke and creame: whereof the yellowest butter and finest chéese are made. But where the blue claie aboundeth (which hardlie drinketh vp the winters water in long season) there the grasse is spearie, rough, and verie apt for bushes: by which oc|casion it commeth nothing so profitable vnto the owner as the other. The best pasture ground of all England is in Wales, & of all the pasture in Wales that of Cardigan is the cheefe. I speake of the same which is to be found in the mounteines there, where the hundred part of the grasse growing is not eaten, but suffered to rot on the ground, whereby the soile becommeth matted, and diuerse bogges and quicke moores made withall in long continuance: because all the cattell in the countrie are not able to eat it downe. If it be to be accompted good soile, on which a man may laie a wand ouer night, and on the mor|row find it hidden and ouergrowen with grasse: it is not hard to find plentie thereof in manie places of this land. Neuertheles, such is the fruitfulnes of the aforsaid countie that it farre surmounteth this pro|portion, whereby it may be compared for batable|nesse with Italie, which in my time is called the paradise of the world, although by reason of the wickednesse of such as dwell therein it may be cal|led the sinke and draine of hell: so that whereas they were woont to saie of vs that our land is good but our people euill, they did but onlie speake it; whereas we know by experience that the soile of Italie is a no|ble soile, but the dwellers therein farre off from anie vertue or goodnesse.

Our medowes,Medowes. are either bottomes (whereof we haue great store, and those verie large, bicause our soile is hillie) or else such as we call land meads, and borowed from the best & fattest pasturages. The first of them are yearelie & often ouerflowen by the rising of such streames as passe through the same, or vio|lent falles of land-waters, that descend from the hils about them. The other are seldome or neuer ouer|flowen, and that is the cause wherefore their grasse is shorter than that of the bottomes, and yet is it farre more fine, wholesome, and batable, sith the haie of our low medowes is not onelie full of sandie cinder, which breedeth sundrie diseases in our cattell, but also more rowtie, foggie, and full of flags, and therefore not so profitable for stouer and forrage as the higher meads be. The difference furthermore in their commodities is great, for whereas in our land mea|dowes we haue not often aboue one good load of haie, or peraduenture a little more in an acre of ground (I vse the word Carrucata or Carruca which is a waine load, and, as I remember, vsed by Plinie lib. 33. cap. 11.) in low meadowes we haue some|times thrée, but commonlie two or vpward, as expe|rience hath oft confirmed.

Of such as are twise mowed I speake not, sith their later math is not so wholsome for cattell as the first; although in the mouth more pleasant for the time: for thereby they become oftentimes to be rot|ten, or to increase so fast in bloud, that the garget and other diseases doo consume manie of them before the owners can séeke out any remedie, by Phlebotomie or otherwise. Some superstitious fooles suppose that they which die of the garget are ridden with the night mare, and therefore they hang vp stones which na|turallie haue holes in them, and must be found vn|looked for; as if such a stone were an apt cockeshot for the diuell to run through and solace himselfe with|all, whilest the cattell go scotfree and are not molested by him. But if I should set downe but halfe the toies that superstition hath brought into our husband|mens heads in this and other behalfes, it would aske a greater volume than is conuenient for such a pur|pose, wherefore it shall suffice to haue said thus much of these things.

The yéeld of our corne-ground is also much after this rate folowing.Corne. Through out the land (if you please to make an estimat thereof by the acre) in meane and indifferent yeares, wherein each acre of rie or wheat, well tilled and dressed, will yeeld commonlie sixtéene or twentie bushels, an acre of barlie six and thirtie bushels, of otes and such like foure or fiue quarters, which proportion is notwithstanding oft abated toward the north, as it is oftentimes sur|mounted in the south. Of mixed corne, as peason and beanes, sowen togither, tares and otes (which they call bulmong) rie and wheat named miscelin here is no place to speake, yet their yéeld is neuerthe|lesse much after this proportion, as I haue often marked. And yet is not this our great foison com|parable to that of hoter countries of the maine. But of all that euer I read, the increase which Eldred Da|nus writeth of in his De imperio Iudaeorum in Aethio|pia surmounteth, where he saith that in the field néere to the Sabbatike riuer, called in old time Gosan, the ground is so fertile, that euerie graine of barleie growing dooth yéeld an hundred kernels at the least vnto the owner.

Of late yeares also we haue found and taken vp a great trade in planting of hops, whereof our moorie hitherto and vnprofitable grounds doo yeeld such plentie & increase, that their are few farmers or oc|cupiers in the countrie, which haue not gardens and hops growing of their owne, and those farre better than doo come from Flanders vnto vs. Certes the corruptions vsed by the Flemings, and forgerie dai|lie practised in this kind of ware, gaue vs occasion to plant them here at home: so that now we may spare and send manie ouer vnto them. And this I know by experience, that some one man by conuersion of his moorie grounds into hopyards, wherof before he had no commoditie, dooth raise yearelie by so little as twelue acres in compasse two hundred markes; all charges borne toward the maintenance of his fami|lie. Which industrie God continue! though some se|cret fréends of Flemings let not to exclaime a|gainst this commoditie, as a spoile of wood, by reason of the poles, which neuerthelesse after three yeares doo also come to the fire, and spare their other fewell.

The cattell which we breed are commonlie such,Cattell. as for greatnesse of bone, swéetnesse of flesh, and other benefits to be reaped by the same, giue place vnto none other: as may appeare first by our oxen, whose largenesse, height, weight, tallow, hides, and hornes are such, as none of anie other nation doo common|lie or may easilie excéed them. Our shéepe likewise for good tast of flesh, quantitie of lims, finesse of fléece caused by their hardnesse of pasturage, and a|bundance of increase (for in manie places they bring foorth two or thrée at an eaning) giue no place vnto a|nie, more than doo our goates, who in like sort doo fol|low the same order, and our déere come not behind. As for our conies, I haue séene them so fat in some soiles, especiallie about Meall and Disnege,Meall and Disnege. that the grease of one being weighed, hath peised verie néere six or seuen ounces. All which benefits we first refer to the grace and goodnesse of God, and next of all vn|to the bountie of our soile, which he hath indued with so notable and commodious fruitfulnesse.

But as I meane to intreat of these things more largelie hereafter, so will I touch in this place one benefit which our nation wanteth,Wine. and that is wine; the fault whereof is not in our soile, but the negli|gence of our countriemen (especiallie of the south partes) who doo not inure the same to this commodi|tie, and which by reason of long discontinuance, is now become vnapt to beare anie grapes almost for pleasure & shadow, much lesse then the plaine fields or seuerall vineyards for aduantage and commodi|tie. Yet of late time some haue assaied to deale for wine, as to your lordship also is right well knowen. But sith that liquor when it commeth to the drinking hath bin found more hard, than that which is brought from beyond the sea, and the cost of planting and kee|ping thereof so chargeable, that they may buie it far better cheape from other countries: they haue gi|uen ouer their enterprises without anie considerati|on, that as in all other things, so neither the ground it selfe in the beginning, nor successe of their trauell can answer their expectation at the first, vntill such time as the soile be brought as it were into acquain|tance with this commoditie, and that prouision may be made for the more easinesse of charge, to be im|ploied vpon the same.

If it be true, that where wine dooth last and indure well, there it will grow no worse: I muse not a little wherefore the planting of vines should be neglected in England. That this liquor might haue growne in this Iland heretofore, first the charter that Probus the emperour gaue equallie to vs, the Galles, and Spaniards, is one sufficient testimonie. And that it did grow here, beside the testimonie of Beda lib. 1. cap. 1. the old notes of tithes for wine that yet re|maine in the accompts of some parsons and vicars in Kent, & elsewhere, besides the records of sundrie sutes, commensed in diuerse ecclesiasticall courts, both in Kent, Surrie, &c: also the inclosed parcels al|most in euerie abbeie yet called the vineyardes, may be a notable witnesse, as also the plot which we now call east Smithfield in London giuen by Canutus sometime king of this land, with other soile there a|bout vnto certeine of his knights, with the libertie of a Guild which therof was called Knighten Guild. The truth is (saith Iohn Stow our countrie man, and diligent traueller in the old estate of this my natiue citie) that it is now named Port soken ward, and gi|uen in time past to the religious house within Al|gate. Howbeit first Otwell, the Archouell, Otto, & fi|nallie Geffrie erle of Essex constables of the Tower of London, withheld that portion frõ the said house, vntill the reigne of king Stephan, and thereof made a vineyard to their great commoditie and lucre. The Ile of Elie also was in the first times of the Nor|mans called Le Ile des vignes. And good record ap|péereth, that the bishop there had yearelie thrée or foure tunne at the least giuen him Nomine decimae, be|side whatsoeuer ouer-summe of the liquor did accrue to him by leases and other excheats, whereof also I haue seene mention. Wherefore our soile is not to be blamed, as though our nights were so exceeding short, that in August and September the moone which is ladie of moisture, & chiefe ripener of this li|quor, cannot in anie wise shine long inough vpon the same: a verie méere toie and fable right worthie to be suppressed, because experience conuinceth the vpholders thereof euen in the Rhenish wines.

The time hath béene also that wad,Wad. wherwith our countrie men died their faces (as Caesar saith) that they might seeme terrible to their enimies in the field, and also women & their daughters in law did staine their bodies & go naked, in that pickle to the sacrifices of their gods,Madder. coueting to resemble therin the Ethiopians,Rape. as Plinie saith li. 22. cap. 1. and also madder haue béene (next vnto our tin and woolles) the chiefe commodities, and merchandize of this realme. I find also that rape oile hath beene made within this land. But now our soile either will not or at the leastwise may not beare either wad or mad|der: I saie not that the ground is not able so to doo, but that we are negligent, afraid of the pilling of our grounds, and carelesse of our owne profit, as men rather willing to buie the same of others than take anie paine to plant them here at home. The like I may saie of flax,Flax. which by law ought to be sowen in euerie countrie-towne in England, more or lesse: but I sée no successe of that good and wholesome law, sith it is rather contemptuouslie reiected than other|wise dutifullie kept in anie place of England.

Some saie that our great number of lawes doo bréed a generall negligence and contempt of all good order; bicause we haue so manie, that no subiect can liue without the transgression of some of them, and that the often alteration of our ordinances dooth much harme in this respect, which (after Aristotle) doth séeme to carie some reason withall, for (as Cornelius Gallus hath:)

But verie manie let not to affirme, that the grée|die corruption of the promoters on the one side, faci|litie in dispensing with good lawes, and first breach of the same in the lawmakers & superiors, & priuat re|spects of their establishment on the other, are the grea|test causes whie the inferiours regard no good order, being alwaies so redie to offend without anie facul|tie one waie,Principes lon|gè magis ex|emplo quàm culpa peccare solent. as they are otherwise to presume, vpon the examples of their betters when anie hold is to be taken. But as in these things I haue no skill, so I wish that fewer licences for the priuat commoditie but of a few were granted (not that thereby I denie the maintenance of the prerogatiue roiall, but rather would with all my hart that it might be yet more honorablie increased) & that euerie one which by féeed friendship (or otherwise) dooth attempt to procure oughts from the prince, that may profit but few and proue hurtfull to manie, might be at open assizes and sessions denounced enimie to his countrie and com|mon-wealth of the land.

Glasse also hath beene made here in great plentie before, and in the time of the Romans; and the said stuffe also, beside fine scissers, shéeres, collars of gold and siluer for womens necks, cruses and cups of am|ber, were a parcell of the tribute which Augustus in his daies laid vpon this Iland. In like sort he char|ged the Britons with certeine implements and ves|sels of iuorie (as Strabo saith) Wherby it appéereth that in old time our countriemen were farre more industrious and painefull in the vse and application of the benefits of their countrie, than either after the comming of the Saxons or Normans, in which they gaue themselues more to idlenesse and following of the warres.

If it were requisit that I should speake of the sundrie kinds of moold, as the cledgie or claie, where|of are diuerse sorts (red, blue, blacke and white) also the red or white sandie, the lomie,Earths. rosellie, grauellie, chal|kie or blacke, I could saie that there are so manie di|uerse veines in Britaine, as else where in anie quar|ter of like quantitie in the world. Howbeit this I must néeds confesse, that the sandie and cledgie doo beare great swaie: but the claie most of all, as hath beene, and yet is alwaies séene & felt through plentie and dearth of corne. For if this latter (I meane the claie) doo yeeld hir full increase (which it dooth com|monlie in drie yeares for wheat) then is there gene|rall plentie: wheras if it faile, then haue we scarsitie, according to the old rude verse set downe of Eng|land, but to be vnderstood of the whole Iland, as ex|perience dooth confirme: When the sand dooth serue the claie, Then may we sing well a waie, But when the claie dooth serue the sand, Then is it merie with England.

I might here intreat of the famous vallies in En|gland, of which one is called the vale of White horsse,Uallies. another of Eouesham, commonlie taken for the gra|narie of Worcestershire, the third of Ailesbirie that goeth by Tame, the rootes of Chilterne hils, to Don|stable, Newport panell, Stonie Stratford, Buck|hingham, Birstane parke, &c. Likewise of the fourth of Whitehart or Blackemoore in Dorsetshire. The fift of Ringdale or Renidale, corruptlie called Ring|taile, that lieth (as mine author saith) vpon the edge of Essex and Cambridgeshire, and also theo Marshwood vale: but for somuch as I know not well their seue|rall limits, I giue ouer to go anie further in their de|scription. In like sort it should not be amisse to speake of our fennes,Fennes. although our countrie be not so full of this kind of soile as the parties beyond the seas, to wit, Narbon, &c: and thereto of other plea|sant botoms, the which are not onelie indued with excellent riuers and great store of corne and fine fod|der for neat and horsses in time of the yeare (whereby they are excéeding beneficiall vnto their owners) but also of no small compasse and quantitie in ground. For some of our fens are well knowen to be either of ten, twelue, sixtéene, twentie, or thirtie miles in length, that of the Girwies yet passing all the rest, which is full 60 (as I haue often read.) Wherein also Elie the famous Ile standeth, which is seuen miles euerie waie, and wherevnto there is no accesse but by thrée causies, whose inhabitants in like sort by an old priuilege may take wood, sedge, turfe, &c; to burne: likewise haie for their cattell, and thatch for their houses of custome, and each occupier in his appoin|ted quantitie through out the Ile; albeit that coue|tousnesse hath now begun somewhat to abridge this large beneuolence and commoditie, aswell in the said Ile as most other places of this land.

Finallie, I might discourse in like order of the large commons,Commons. laid out heretofore by the lords of the soiles for the benefit of such poore, as inhabit with|in the compasse of their manors. But as the true in|tent of the giuers is now in most places defrauded, in so much that not the poore tenants inhabiting vp|on the same, but their landlords haue all the commo|ditie and gaine, so the tractation of them belongeth rather to the second booke. Wherfore I meane not at this present to deale withall, but reserue the same wholie vnto the due place whilest I go forward with the rest; setting downe neuerthelesse by the waie a generall commendation of the whole Iland, which I find in an ancient monument, much vnto this effect.

_THere are, which indeuoring to bring all things to their Saxon originall, doo affirme, that this diuision of waies, (whereof we now intreat) should apperteine vnto such princes of that nation as reigned here, since the Ro|manes gaue vs ouer: and herevpon they inferre, that Wattling street was builded by one Wattle from the east vnto the west. But how weake their coniectures are in this behalfe, the antiquitie of these streets it selfe shall easilie declare, whereof some par|celles, after a sort, are also set downe by Antoninus; and those that haue written of the seuerall iournies from hence to Rome: although peraduenture not in so direct an order as they were at the first establish|ed. For my part, if it were not that I desire to be short in this behalfe, I could with such notes as I haue alreadie collected for that purpose, make a large confutation of diuerse of their opinions concerning these passages, and thereby rather ascribe the origi|nall of these waies to the Romans than either the British or Saxon princes. But sith I haue spent more time in the tractation of the riuers than was allotted vnto me, and that I sée great cause (notwith|standing my late alledged scruple) wherfore I should hold with our Galfride before anie other; I will omit at this time to discourse of these things as I would, and saie what I maie for the better knowledge of their courses, procéeding therein as followeth.

First of all I illegible ind, that Dunwallon king of Britaine, about 483 yeares before the birth of our sauiour Iesus Christ, séeing the subiects of his realme to be in sundrie wise oppressed by théeues and rob|bers as they trauelled to and fro; and being wil|ling (so much as in him laie) to redresse these incon|ueniences, caused his whole kingdome to be suruei|ed; and then commanding foure principall waies to be made, which should leade such as trauelled into all parts thereof, from sea to sea, he gaue sundrie large priuileges vnto the same, whereby they became safe, and verie much frequented. And as he had regard herein to the securitie of his subiects, so he made sharpe lawes grounded vpon iustice, for the suppres|sion of such wicked members as did offer violence to anie traueler that should be met withall or found within the limits of those passages. How and by what parts of this Iland these waies were conueied at the first, it is not so wholie left in memorie: but that some question is mooued among the learned, concerning their ancient courses. Howbeit such is the shadow remaining hitherto of their extensions, that if not at this present perfectlie, yet hereafter it is not vnpossible, but that they may be found out, & le illegible t certeine vnto posteritie. It seemeth by Galfride, that the said Dunwallon did limit out those waies by dooles and markes, which being in short time alte|red by the auarice of such irreligious persons as dwelt néere, and incroched vpon the same (a fault yet iustlie to be found almost in euerie place, euen in the time of our most gratious and souereigne Ladie Elizabeth, wherein the lords of the soiles doo vnite their small occupieng, onelie to increase a greater proportion of rent; and therefore they either remooue, or giue licence to erect small tenements vpon the high waies sides and commons; wherevnto, in truth, they haue no right: and yet out of them also doo raise a new commoditie) and question mooued for their bounds before Belinus his sonne, he to auoid all further controuersie that might from thencefoorth insue, caused the same to be paued with hard stone of eightéene foot in breadth, ten foot in depth, and in the bottome thereof huge flint stones also to be pitch|ed, least the earth in time should swallow vp his workemanship, and the higher ground ouer-grow their rising crests. He indued them also with larger priuileges than before, protesting that if anie man whosoeuer should presume to infringe his peace, and violate the lawes of his kingdome in anie maner of wise, neere vnto or vpon those waies, he should suffer such punishment without all hope to escape (by freendship or mercie) as by the statutes of this realme latelie prouided in those cases were due vnto the offendors. The names of these foure waies are the Fosse, the Gwethelin or Watling, the Erming, and the Ikenild.

The Fosse goeth not directlie but slopewise ouer the greatest part of this Iland,Fosse. beginning at Dot|nesse or Totnesse in Deuonshire, where Brute som|time landed, or (as Ranulphus saith, which is more likelie) at the point of Cornwall, though the eldest writers doo séeme to note the contrarie. From hence it goeth thorough the middle of Deuonshire & Sum|mersetshire, and commeth to Bristow, from whence it runneth manifestlie to Sudberie market, Tetbu|rie, and so foorth holdeth on as you go almost to the midde waie betweene Glocester and Cirnecester, (where the wood faileth, and the champeigne coun|trie appeareth toward Cotteswald) streight as a line vntill you come to Cirnecester it selfe. Some hold opinion that the waie, which lieth from Cirnecester to Bath, should be the verie Fosse; and that betwixt Cirnecester and Glocester to be another of the foure waies, made by the Britons. But ancient report grounded vpon great likelihood, and confirmed also by some experience, iudgeth that most of the waies crossed ech other in this part of the realme. And of this mind is Leland also, who learned it of an abbat of Cirnecester that shewed great likelihood by some records thereof. But to procéed. From Cirnece|ster, it goeth by Chepingnorton to Couentrie, Leir|cester, Newarke, and so to Lincolne ouerthwart the Watlingstreet: where, by generall consent of all the writers (except Alfred of Beuerleie, who extendeth it vnto Cathnesse in Scotland) it is said to haue an end.

The Watlingstréet begun (as I said) by Dun|wallo, but finished by Gutheline,Watling stréet. of whome it is di|rectlie to be called Gutheline stréet, though now cor|rupted into Watlingstréet, beginneth at Douer in Kent, and so stretcheth through the middest of Kent vnto London, and so foorth (peraduenture by the mid|dest of the citie) vnto Verolaminm or Uerlamcester, now saint Albons, where, in the yeare of grace, one thousand fiue hundred thirtie & one, the course there|of was found by a man that digged for grauell wher|with to mend the high waie. It was in this place eighteene foot broad, and about ten foot déepe, and stoned in the bottome in such wise as I haue noted a|fore, and peraduenture also on the top: but these are gone, and the rest remaine equall in most places, and leuell with the fields. The yelow grauell also that was brought thither in carts two thousand yéeres passed, remained there so fresh and so strong, as if it had béene digged out of the naturall place where it grew not manie yéeres before. From hence it goeth hard by Margate, leauing it on the west side. And a little by south of this place, where the priorie stood, is a long thorough fare vpon the said street, méetly well builded (for low housing) on both sides. After this it procéedeth (as the chronicle of Barnwell saith) to Caxton, and so to Huntingdon, & then forward, still winding in and out till it not onelie becommeth a bound vnto Leicestershire toward Lugbie, but also passeth from Castleford to Stamford, and so foorth by west of Marton, which is but a mile from Tor|keseie.

Here by the waie I must touch the opinion of a traueller of my time, who noteth the said stréet to go another waie, insomuch that he would haue it to crosse the third Auon, betwixt Newton and Dow|bridge, and so go on to Binford bridge, Wibtoft, the High crosse, and thence to Atherston vpon Ancre. Certes it may be, that the Fosse had his course by the countrie in such sort as he describeth; but that the Watlingstréet should passe by Atherston, I can|not as yet be persuaded. Neuerthelesse his coniec|ture is not to be misliked, sith it is not vnlikelie that thrée seuerall waies might méet at Alderwaie (a towne vpon Tame, beneath Salters bridge) for I doo not doubt that the said towne did take his name of all three waies, as Aldermarie church in London did of all thrée Maries, vnto whom it hath béene de|dicated: but that the Watlingstréet should be one of them, the compasse of his passage will in no wise permit And thus much haue I thought good to note by the waie. Now to returne againe to Leland, and other mens collections.

The next tidings that we heare of the Watling|stréet, are that it goeth thorough or neere by the parke at Pomfret, as the common voice also of the coun|trie confirmeth. Thence it passeth hastilie ouer Ca|stelford bridge to Aberford, which is fiue miles from thence, and where are most manifest tokens of this stréet and his broad crest by a great waie togither, al|so to Yorke, to Witherbie, and then to Borowbridge, where on the left hand thereof stood certeine monu|ments, or pyramides of stone, sometimes placed there by the ancient Romanes. These stones (saith Leland) stand eight miles west from Bowis, and al|most west from Richmond is a little thorough fare called Maiden castell, situate apparantlie vpon the side of this stréet. And here is one of those pyrami|des or great round heapes, which is three score foot compasse in the bottome. There are other also of lesse quantities, and on the verie top of ech of them are sharpe stones of a yard in length; but the greatest of all is eighteene foot high at the least, from the ground to the verie head. He addeth moreouer, how they stand on an hill in the edge of Stanes m illegible e, and are as bounds betwéene Richmondshire, and West|merland. But to procéed. This stréet lieng a mile from Gilling, and two miles from Richmond com|meth on from Borowbridge to Catericke, eightéene miles; that is, twelue to Leuing, & six to Catericke; then eleuen miles to Greteie or Gritto, fiue miles to Bottles, eight miles to Burgh on Stanes moore, foure miles from Applebie, and fiue to Browham, where the said stréet commeth thorough Winfoll parke, and ouer the bridge on Eiemouth and Lo|der, and leauing Perith a quarter of a mile or more on the west side of it, goeth to Carleill seuenteene miles from Browham, which hath béene some nota|ble thing. Hitherto it appeareth euidentlie, but going from hence into Scotland, I heare no more of it, vn|till I come to Cathnesse, which is two hundred and thirtie miles or thereabouts out of England.

The Erming stréet, which some call the Lelme, stretcheth out of the east,Erming stréet. as they saie, into the south|east, that is, from Meneuia or S. Dauids in Wales vnto Southampton, whereby it is somewhat likelie indeed that these two waies, I meane the Fosse and the Erming, should méet about Cirnecester, as it commeth from Glocester, according to the opinion conceiued of them in that countrie. Of this waie I find no more written, and therefore I can saie no more of it, except I should indeuor to driue awaie the time, in alleging what other men say thereof, whose minds doo so farre disagrée one from another, as they doo all from a truth, and therefore I giue them ouer as not delighting in such dealing.

The Ikenild or Rikenild began somewhere in the south,Ikenild. and so held on toward Cirnecester, then to Worcester, Wicombe, Brimcham, Lichfield, Dar|bie, Chesterfield; and crossing the Watlingstréet somewhere in Yorkeshire, stretched foorth in the end vnto the mouth of the Tine, where it ended at the maine sea, as most men doo confesse. I take it to be called the Ikenild, because it passed thorough the kingdome of the Icenes. For albeit that Leland & other following him doo séeme to place the Icenes in Norffolke and Suffolke; yet in mine opinion that can not well be doone, sith it is manifest by Tacitus, that they laie néere vnto the Silures, and (as I gesse) either in Stafford and Worcester shires, or in both, except my coniecture doo faile me. The author of the booke, intituled Eulogium historiarum, doth call this stréet the Lelme. But as herein he is deceiued, so haue I dealt withall so faithfullie as I may among such diuersitie of opinions; yet not denieng but that there is much confusion in the names and courses of these two latter, the discussing whereof I must leaue to other men that are better learned than I.

Now to speake generallie of our common high waies through the English part of the Ile (for of the rest I can saie nothing) you shall vnderstand that in the claie or cledgie soile they are often verie déepe and troublesome in the winter halfe. Wherfore by authoritie of parlement an order is taken for their yearelie amendment, whereby all sorts of the com|mon people doo imploie their trauell for six daies in summer vpon the same. And albeit that the intent of the statute is verie profitable for the reparations of the decaied places, yet the rich doo so cancell their portions, and the poore so loiter in their labours, that of all the six, scarcelie two good days works are well performed and accomplished in a parish on these so necessarie affaires. Besides this, such as haue land lieng vpon the sides of the waies, doo vtterlie neglect to dich and scowre their draines and water|courses, for better auoidance of the winter waters (except it may be set off or cut from the meaning of the statute) whereby the stréets doo grow to be much more gulled than before, and thereby verie noisome for such as trauell by the same. Sometimes also, and that verie often, these daies works are not imploied vpon those waies that lead from market to market, but ech surueior amendeth such by-plots & lanes as séeme best for his owne commoditie, and more easie passage vnto his fields and pastures. And whereas in some places there is such want of stones, as thereby the inhabitants are driuen to seeke them farre off in other soiles: the owners of the lands wherein those stones are to be had, and which hitherto haue giuen monie to haue them borne awaie, doo now reape no small commoditie by raising the same to excessiue prices, whereby their neighbours are driuen to grieuous charges, which is another cause wherefore the meaning of that good law is verie much defrauded. Finallie, this is another thing like|wise to be considered of, that the trées and bushes growing by the stréets sides; doo not a little keepe off the force of the sunne in summer for drieng vp of the lanes. Wherefore if order were taken that their boughs should continuallie be kept short, and the bushes not suffered to spread so far into the narrow paths, that inconuenience would also be remedied, and manie a slough proue hard ground that yet is déepe and hollow. Of the dailie incroching of the co|uetous vpon the hie waies I speake not. But this I know by experience, that wheras some stréets with|in these fiue and twentie yeares haue béene in most places fift illegible foot broad according to the law, whereby the traueller might either escape the théefe, or shift the mier, or passe by the loaden cart without danger of himselfe and his horsse; now they are brought vnto twelue, or twentie, or six and twentie at the most, which is another cause also whereby the waies be the worse, and manie an honest man encombred in his iourneie. But what speake I of these things where|of I doo not thinke to heare a iust redresse, because the error is so common, and the benefit thereby so swéet and profitable to manie, by such houses and co|tages as are raised vpon the same.

_IT is possible that some of the Scotish nation, reading the former chapter, will take of|fense with me for meaning that the principalitie of the north parts of this Ile hath alwais belonged to the kings of Lhoegres.The Scots alwaies desi|rous to shake off ye English subiection, haue often made cruell & odious at|tempts so to doo, but in vaine. For whose more ample satisfaction in this behalfe, I will here set downe a discourse thereof at large, written by di|uerse, and now finallie brought into one treatise, suf|ficient (as I thinke) to satisfie the reasonable, al|though not halfe enough peraduenture to content a wrangling mind, sith there is (or at the leastwise hath beene) nothing more odious among some, than to heare that the king of England hath ought to doo in Scotland.

How their historiographers haue attempted to shape manie coloured excuses to auoid so manifest a title, all men may see that read their bookes indiffe|rentlie, wherevnto I referre them. For my part there is little or nothing of mine herein, more than onelie the collection and abridgement of a number of fragments togither, wherein chéeflie I haue vsed the helpe of Nicholas Adams a lawier, who wrote thereof (of set purpose) to king Edward the sixt, as Leland did the like to king Henrie the eight, Iohn Harding vnto Edward the fourth; beside thrée other, whereof the first dedicated his treatise to Henrie the fourth, the second to Edward the third, and the third to Edward the first, as their writings yet extant doo abundantlie beare witnesse. The title also that Le|land giueth his booke, which I haue had written with his owne hand, beginneth in this maner: These re|membrances following are found in chronicles au|thorised, remaining in diuerse monasteries both in England and Scotland, by which it is euidentlie knowne and shewed, that the kings of England haue had, and now ought to haue the souereigntie ouer all Scotland, with the homage and fealtie of the kings there reigning from time to time, &c. Herevn|to you haue heard alreadie, what diuision Brute made of this Iland not long before his death, wherof ech of his children, so soone as he was interred, tooke seisure and possession. Howbeit, after two yeares it happened that Albanact was slaine, wherevpon Lo|crinus and Camber raising their powers, reuenged his death: and finallie the said Locrinus made an entrance vpon Albania, seized it into his owne hands (as excheated wholie vnto himselfe) without yéelding anie part thereof vnto his brother Camber, who made no claime nor title vnto anie portion of the same. Hereby then (saith Adams) it euidentlie appeareth, that the entire seigniorie ouer Albania consisted in Locrinus, according to which example like law among brethren euer since hath continued, in preferring the eldest brother to the onelie benefit of the collaterall ascension from the youngest, as well in Scotland as in England vnto this daie.

Ebranke the lineall heire from the bodie of this Locrine, that is to saie, the sonne of Mempris, sonne of Madan, sonne of the same Locrine builded in Al|bania the castell of Maidens, now called Edenbo|rough (so called of Aldan somtime king of Scotland, but at the first named Cair Minid Agnes. 1. the ca|stell on mount Agnes, and the castell of virgins) and the castell of Alcluith or Alclude, now called Dunbriton, as the Scotish Hector Boetius confes|seth: whereby it most euidentlie appeareth, that our Ebranke was then thereof seized. This Ebranke reigned in the said state ouer them a long time; after whose death Albania (as annexed to the empire of Britaine) descended to the onelie king of Britons, vntill the time of the two sisters sonnes, Morgan and Conedage, lineall heires from the said Ebranke, who brotherlie at the first diuided the realme betwéen them; so that Morgan had Lhoegres, and Conedage had Albania. But shortlie after Morgan the elder brother, pondering in his head the loue of his brother with the affection to a kingdome, excluded nature, and gaue place to ambition, and therevpon denoun|cing warre, death miserablie ended his life (as the reward of his vntruth) whereby Conedage obteined the whole empire of all Britaine: in which state he remained during his naturall life.

From him the same lineallie descended to the onelie king of Britons, vntill (and after) the reigne of Gorbodian, who had issue two sonnes, Ferrex, and Porrex. This Porrex requiring like diuision of the land, affirming the former partitions to be rather of law than fauor, was by the hands of his elder brother (best loued of queene mother) both of his life and hoped kingdome beerea illegible ed at once. Wherevpon their vnnaturall mother, vsing hir na|turall malice for the death of hir one sonne (without regard of the loosing of both) miserablie slue the other in his bed mistrusting no such treason.

Cloten, by all writers, as well Scotish as other, was the next inheritour to the whole empire: but lacking power (the onelie meane in those daies to obteine right) he was contented to diuide the same among foure of his kinsmen; so that Scater had Albania. But after the death of this Cloten, his sonne Dunwallo Mulmutius made warre vpon these foure kings, and at last overcame them, and so recouered the whole dominion. In token of which victorie, he caused himselfe to be crowned with a crowne of gold, the verie first of that mettall (if anie at all were before in vse) that was worne among the kings of this nation. This Dunwallo erected tem|ples, wherein the people should assemble for praier; to which temples he gaue benefit of sanctuarie. He made the law for wager of battell, in cases of mur|der and felonie, whereby a théefe that liued and made his art of fighting, should for his purgation fight with the true man whom he had robbed, beléeuing as|suredlie, that the gods (for then they supposed manie) would by miracle assigne victorie to none but the in|nocent partie. Certes the priuileges of this law, and benefit of the latter, as well in Scotland as in England, be inioied to this daie, few causes by late positiue laws among vs excepted, wherin the benefit of wager of battell is restreined. By which obedi|ence to his lawes, it dooth manifestlie appéere, that this Dunwallo was then seized of Albania, now called Scotland. This Dunwallo reigned in this estate ouer them manie yeares.

Beline and Brenne the sonnes also of Dunwallo, did after their fathers death fauourablie diuide the land betweene them; so that Beline had Lhoegres, & Brenne had Albania: but for that this Brenne (a subiect) without the consent of his elder brother and lord, aduentured to marrie with the daughter of the king of Denmarke; Beline seized Albania into his owne hands, and thervpon caused the notable waies priuileged by Dunwallons lawes to be newlie wrought by mens hands, which for the length exten|ded from the further part of Cornewall, vnto the sea by north Cathnesse in Scotland. In like sort to and for the better maintenance of religion in those daies, he constituted ministers called archflamines, in sun|drie places of this Iland (who in their seuerall functi|ons resembled the bishops of our times) the one of which remained at Ebranke now called Yorke, and the whole region Caerbrantonica (whereof Ptolomie also speaketh but not without wresting of the name) whose power extended to the vttermost bounds of Albania, wherby likewise appeareth that it was then within his owne dominion. After his death the whole Ile was inioied by the onelie kings of Britaine, vn|till the time of Uigenius & Peridurus lineall heires from the said Beline, who fauourablie made partiti|on, so that Uigenius had all the land from Humber by south, and Peridurus from thence northwards all Albania, &c. This Uigenius died, and Peridurus suruiued, and thereby obteined the whole, from whom the same quietlie descended, and was by his posteri|tie accordinglie inioied, vntill the reigne of Coell the first of that name. In his time an obscure nation (by most writers supposed Scithians) passed by seas from Ireland, and arriued in that part of Britaine called Albania: against whome this Coell assembled his power, and being entred Albania to expell them, one Fergus in the night disguised, entered the tent of this Coell, and in his bed traitorouslie slue him.

This Fergus was therfore, in reward of his great prowesse, made there king, whervpon they sat downe in that part, with their wiues and children, and called it Scotland, and themselues Scots: from the begin|ing of the world, foure thousand six hundred and sea|uentéene yeares after the Scotish accompt, which by iust computation and confession of all their owne writers, is six hundred yeares lacking ten, after that Brutus had reigned ouer the whole Iland, the same land being inioied by him and his posteritie before their comming, during two and fiftie descents of the kings of Britaine, which is a large prescription. Cer|tes this intrusion into a land so manie hundred yeares before inhabited, and by so manie descents of kings quietlie inioied, is the best title that all their owne writers can alledge for them. But to proceed. Fergus herevpon immediatlie did diuide Albania also among his capteins and their souldiers: where|by it most euidentlie appeareth, that there were no people of that nation inhabiting there before, in proofe whereof the same partition shall follow.

The lands of Cathnes lieng against Orkneie, Out of He|ctor Boecius lib. 5. be|twéene Dummesbeie and the water of Thane, was giuen vnto one Cornath, a capteine and his people. The lands betwéene the water of Thane & Nes, now called Rosse, being in bredth from Cromart to the mouth of the water of Locht, were giuen to Lu|torke, another capteine and his people. The lands be|twéene Spaie and Nes, from the Almane seas to the Ireland seas, now called Murraie land, were gi|uen to one Warroch and his people. The land of Tha|lia, now called Boin Ainze, Bogewall, Gariot, For|martine, and Bowguhan, were giuen to one Thalis and his people. The lands of Mar Badezenoch, and Lochquhaber, were giuen to Martach and his peo|ple. The lands of Lorne and Kintier, with the hilles and mounteins thereof, lieng from Mar to the Ire|land seas, were giuen to capteine Nanance and his people. The lands of Athole were giuen to Atholus, another capteine and his people. The lands of Stra|braun, & Brawdawane lieng west from Dunkell, were giuen to Creones & Epidithes two capteins. The lands of Argile, were giuen to Argathelus a cap|teine. The lands of Linnox & Clidisdale were allot|ted to Lolgona a capteine. The lands of Siluria now called Kile, Carrike & Cuningham, were giuen to Silurth another capteine. The lands of Brigance now called Gallowaie, were giuen to the companie called Brigandes, which (as their best men) were ap|pointed to dwell next the Britons, who afterward ex|pelled the Britons from Annandale in Albanie, whereby it is confessed to be before inhabited by Bri|tons. The residue of the land now called Scotland, that is to saie: Meirnis, Angus, Steremond, Gow|rie, Strahern, Pirth, Fiffe, Striueling, Callender, Calderwood, Lougthian, Mers, Teuedale, with o|ther the Rement Dales, & the Sherifdome, of Ber|wicke, were then enioied by a nation mingled in marriage with the Britons,Berouicum po|tiùs à Berubio promontorio. and in their obedience, whose capteine called Beringer builded the castell and towne of Berwicke vpon Twede, & these peo|ple were called Picts, vpon whome by the death of this Coell, these Scots had oportunitie to vse wars, whereof they ceased not, vntill such time as it plea|sed God to appoint another Coell king of Britons, against whose name, albeit they hoped for a like vic|torie to the first, yet he preuailed and ceased not his warre, vntill these Scots were vtterlie expelled out of all the bounds of Britaine, in which they neuer da|red to reenter, vntill the troublesome reigne of Si|silt king of Britons, which was the twelft king af|ter this Coell. During all which time the countrie was reinhabited by the Britons. But then the Scots turning the ciuill discord of this realme, be|tweene this Sisilt and his brother Blede to their best aduantage, arriued againe in Albania, & there made one Reuther their king.

Upon this their new arriuall, new warre was made vpon them by this Sisilt king of Bri|tons, in which warre Reuther their new king died, and Thereus succéeded, against whome the warre of Britons ceased not, vntill he freelie submitted him|selfe to the said Sicill king of Britons at Ebranke, that is Yorke, where shortlie after the tenth yeare of his reigne he died. Finnane brother of Iosine succee|ded by their election to the kingdome of Scots, who shortlie after (compelled by the warres of the same Sicill) declared himselfe subiect, and for the better as|surance of his faith and obeisance to the king of Bri|tons, deliuered his sonne Durstus into the hands of this Sicill: who fantasieng the child, and hoping by his owne succession to alter their subtiltie (I will not saie duplicitie saith Adams) married him in the end to Agasia his owne daughter.

This Durstus was their next king;Durstus. but for that he had married a Briton woman, (though indeed she was a kings daughter) the Scots hated him for the same cause, for which they ought rather to haue liked him the better, and therefore not onelie traito|rouslie slue him; but further to declare the end of their malice, dishinherited (as much as in them was) the issues of the same Durstus and Agasia. Herevpon new warre sproong betwéene them and vs, which ceased not vntill they were contented to receiue Edeir to their king, the next in bloud then liuing, descended from Durstus and Agasia, and thereby the bloud of the Britons, of the part of the mother, was restored to the crowne of Albania: so that nature, whose law is immutable, caused this bond of loue to hold. For shortlie after this Edeir attended vpon Cassibelane king of Britons, for the repulse of Iulius Caesar, as their owne author Boeti|us, confesseth, who commanded the same as his sub|iect But Iulius Caesar, after his second arriuall, by treason of Androgeus preuailed against the Bri|tons, and therevpon pursued this Edeir into Scot|land; and (as himselfe saith in his commentaries) subdued all the Ile of Britaine. Which though the liuing Scots denie it, their dead writers confesse that he came beyond Calender wood, and cast downe Camelon, the principall citie of the Picts. And in to|ken of this victorie, not farre from Carron, builded a round temple of stone, which remained in some per|fection vntill the reigne of our king Edward called the first after the conquest, by whome it was subuer|ted: but the monument thereof remaineth to this daie.

Marius the sonne of Aruiragus,Marius. being king of all Britaine, in his time one Roderike a Scithian, with a great rabble of néedie souldiours, came to the water of Frith in Scotland, which is an arme of the sea, diuiding Pentland from Fiffe: against whome Marius assembled a power, by which he slue this Rodericke, and discomfited his people in Westmer|land: but to those that remained aliue, he gaue the countrie of Cathnesse in Scotland, which prooueth it be within his owne dominion.

Coell the sonne of this Marius had issue Lucius,Coelus. counted the first christian king of this nation: he conuerted the three archflamines of this land into bi|shopriks, and ordeined bishops vnto ech of them. The first remained at London, and his power extended from the furthest part of Cornewall to Humber wa|ter. The second dwelled at Yorke, and his power stretched from Humber to the furthest part of all Scotland. The third aboded at Caerleon vpon the riuer of Wiske in Glamorgan in Wales, & his power extended from Seuerne through all Wales. Some write that he made but two, and turned their names to archbishops, the one to remaine at Can|turburie, the other at Yorke: yet they confesse that he of Yorke had iurisdiction through all Scotland: either of which is sufficient to prooue Scotland to be then vnder his dominion.

Seuerus, by birth a Romane,Seuerus. but in bloud a Briton (as some thinke) and the lineall heire of the bodie of Androge illegible s sonne of Lud, & nephue of Cassi|belane, was shortlie after emperour & king of Bri|tons, in whose time the people to whom his ancester Marius gaue the land of Cathnesse in Scotland, con|spired with the Scots, & receiued them from the Iles into Scotland. But herevpon this Seuerus came into Scotland, and méeting with their faith and false harts togither, droue them all out of the maine land into Iles, the vttermost bounds of all great Bri|taine. But notwithstanding this glorious victorie, the Britons considering their seruitude to the Ro|mans, imposed by treason of Androgeus, ancestor to this Seuerus, began to hate him, whome yet they had no time to loue, and who in their defense and suertie had slaine of the Scots and their confede|rats in one battell thirtie thousand: but such was the consideration of the common sort in those daies, whose malice no time could diminish, nor iust desert appease.

Antoninus Bassianus borne of a Briton woman,Bassianus. and Geta borne by a Romane woman, were the sonnes of this Seuerus, who after the death of their father, by the contrarie voices of their people, conten|ded for the crowne. Few Britons held with Bassia|nus, fewer Romans with Geta: but the greater number with neither of both. In the end Geta was slaine, and Bassianus remained emperour, against whom Carautius rebelled, who gaue vnto the Scots, Picts, and Scithians, the countrie of Cathnesse in Scotland, which they afterward inhabited, whereby his seison thereof appeareth.

Coill,Coill. descended of the bloud of the ancient kings of this land, was shortlie after king of the Britons, whose onelie daughter and heire called Helen, was married vnto Constantius a Romane, who daunted the rebellion of all parts of great Britaine; and after the death of this Coill was in the right of his wife king thereof, and reigned in his state ouer them thirtéene or fouretéene yeares.

Constantine the sonne of this Constance, and Helen,Constantine. was next king of Britons, by the right of his mother, who passing to Rome to receiue the empire thereof, deputed one Octauius king of Wales, and duke of the Gewisses (which some expound to be after|ward called west Saxons) to haue the gouernment of this dominion. But abusing the kings innocent goodnesse, this Octauius defrauded this trust, and tooke vpon him the crowne. For which traitorie albe|it he was once vanquished by Leonine Traheron, great vncle to Constantine: yet after the death of this Traheron, he preuailed againe, and vsurped o|uer all Britaine. Constantine being now emperor sent Marimius his kinsman hither (in processe of time) to destroie the same Octauius, who in singu|lar battell discomfited him. Wherevpon this Max|imius, as well by the consent of great Constantine, as by the election of all the Britons, for that he was a Briton in bloud, was made king or rather vicege|rent of Britaine. This Maximius made warre vp|on the Scots and Scithians within Britaine, and ceassed not vntill he had slaine Eugenius their king, and expelled and driuen them out of the whole limits and bounds of Britaine. Finallie he inha|bited all Scotland with Britons, no man, wo|man, nor child of the Scotish nation suffered to remaine within it, which (as their Hector Boetius saith) was for their rebellion; and rebellion properlie could it not be, except they had béene subiects. He suffered the Picts also to remaine his subiects, who made solemne othes to him, neuer after to erect anie peculiar king of their owne nation, but to remaine vnder the old empire of the onelie king of Bri|taine. I had once an epistle by Leland exemplified (as he saith) out of a verie ancient record which bea|reth title of Helena vnto hir sonne Constantine, and entreth after this manner; Domino semper Augusto filio Constantino, mater Helena semper Augusta, &c. And now it repenteth me that I did not exemplifie and conueigh it into this treatise whilest I had his books. For thereby I might haue had great light for the e|state of this present discourse: but as then I had no mind to haue trauelled in this matter; neuerthe|lesse, if hereafter it come againe to light I would wish it were reserued. It followeth on also in this maner (as it is translated out of the Gréeke) Verita|tem sapientis animus non recusat, nec fides recta aliquando patitur quamcunque iacturam, &c.

About fiue and fourtie yeares after this (which was long time after the death of this Maximius) with the helpe of Gouan or Gonan and Helga, the Scots newlie arriued in Albania, and there created one Fergus the second of that name to be there king. But bicause they were before banished the conti|nent land, they crowned him king on their aduen|ture in Argile, in the fatall chaire of marble, the yéere of our Lord, foure hundred and two and twentie, as they themselues doo write.

Maximian sonne of Leonine Traheron, brother to king Coill,Maximian. and vncle to Helene, was by lineall succession next king of Britons: but to appease the malice of Dionothus king of Wales, who also clai|med the kingdome, he maried Othilia eldest daugh|ter of Dionothus, and afterwards assembled a great power of Britons, and entered Albania, inuading Gallowaie, Mers, Annandale, Pentland, Carrike, Kill, and Cuningham, and in battell slue both this Fergus then king of Scots, and Durstus the king of Picts, and exiled all their people out of the conti|nent land: wherevpon the few number of Scots then remaining a liue, went to Argile, and there made Eugenius their king. When this Maximian had thus obteined quietnesse in Britaine, he depar|ted with his cousine Conan Meridocke into Armo|rica, where they subdued the king, and depopulated the countrie, which he gaue to Conan his cousine, to be afterward inhabited by Britons, by the name of Britaine the lesse: and hereof this realme tooke name of Britaine the great, which name by consent of forren writers it keepeth vnto this daie.

After the death of Maximian, dissention being moo|ued betweene the nobles of Britaine, the Scots swarmed togither againe, and came to the wall of Adrian, where (this realme being diuided in manie factions) they ouercame one. And herevpon their Hector Boetius (as an hen that for laieng of one eg, will make a great cakeling) solemnlie triumphing for a conquest before the victorie, alledgeth that here|by the Britons were made tributaries to the Scots, and yet he confesseth that they won no more land, by that supposed conquest, but the same portion be|twéene them and Humber, which in the old partiti|ons before was annexed to Albania. It is hard to be beléeued, that such a broken nation as the Scots at that time were, returning from banishment with|in foure yeares before, and since in battell loosing both their kings, and the great number of their best men, to be thus able to make a conquest of great Britaine; and verie vnlikelie if they had conquered it, they would haue left the hot sunne of the south parts, to dwell in the cold snow in Scotland. Incre|dible it is, that if they had conquered it, they would not haue deputed officers in it, as in cases of con|quest behooueth. And it is beyond all beliefe, that great Britaine, or any other countrie, should be woon without the comming of anie enimie into it: as they did not, but taried finallie at the same wall of A|drian, whereof I spake before.

But what need I speake of these defenses, when the same Boecius scantlie trusteth his owne beliefe in this tale. For he saieth that Galfride, and sundrie other authentike writers, diuerslie varie from this part of his storie, wherein his owne thought accuseth his conscience of vntruth: herein also he further for|getting how it behooueth a lier to be mindfull of his assertion, in the fourth chapter next following, wholie bewraieth himselfe, saieng that the confederat kings of Scots and Picts, vpon ciuill warres be|twéene the Britons (which then followed) hoped short|lie to inioie all the land of great Britaine, from be|yond Humber vnto the fresh sea, which hope had bene vaine, and not lesse than void, if it had béene their owne by anie conquest before.

Constantine of Britaine, descended from Conan king thereof, cousine of Brutes bloud to this Maxi|mian, and his neerest heire was next king of Bri|taine, he immediatlie pursued the Scots with wars, and shortlie in battell slue their king Dongard, in the first yeare of his reigne, whereby he recouered Scotland out of their hands, and tooke all the holdes thereof into his owne possessions. Uortiger shortlie after obteined the crowne of Britaine, against whom the Scots newlie rebelled: for the repressing whereof (mistrusting the Britons to hate him for sundrie causes, as one that to auoid the smoke dooth oft fall into the fire) receiued Hengest a Saxon, and a great number of his countriemen, with whom and a few Britons he entred Scotland & ouercame them, wherevpon they tooke the Iles, which are their com|mon refuge. He gaue also much of Scotland, as Gallowaie, Pentland, Mers and Annandale, with sundrie other lands to this Hengest and his people to inhabit, which they did accordinglie inioie. But when this Hengest in processe of time thirsted after the whole kingdome of the south, he was banished, and yet afterward being restored, he conspired with the Scots against Aurilambrose the sonne of Constan|tine, the iust inheritor of this whole dominion. But his vntruth and theirs were both recompensed togi|ther,Some thinke the Seimors to come from this man by lineall descent and I suppose no lesse. for he was taken prisoner by Eldulph de Samor a noble man of Britaine, and his head for his traito|rie striken off at the commandement of Aurilam|brose. In the field the Scots were vanquished: but Octa the sonne of Hengest was receiued to mercie, to whome and his people this Aurilambrose gaue the countrie of Gallowaie in Scotland, for which they became his subiects. And hereby appeareth that Scotland was then againe reduced into his hands.

Uter called also Pendragon, brother to Aurilam|brose was next king of the Britons, against whome, these sworne Saxons now foresworne subiects (con|federate with the Scots) newlie rebelled: but by his power assembled against them in Gallowaie in Scotland, they were discomfited, & Albania againe recouered vnto his subiection. Arthur the sonne of of this Uter, begotten before the mariage, but law|fullie borne in matrimonie, succéeded next to the crowne of great Britaine; whose noble acts, though manie vulgar fables haue rather stained than com|mended: yet all the Scotish writers confesse, that he subdued great Britaine, and made it tributarie to him, and ouercame the Saxons then scattered as far as Cathnesse in Scotland: and in all these wars against them, he had the seruice and obeisance of Scots and Picts. But at the last setting their féet in the guilefull paths of their predecessors, they rebel|led and besieged the citie of Yorke, Howell king of the lesse Britaine cousine to king Arthur being therein. But he with an host came thither and dis|comfited the Scots, chased them into a marsh, and besieged them there so long, that they were almost famished: vntill the bishops, abbats, and men of re|ligion (for as much as they were christened people) besought him to take them to his mercie and grace, and to grant them a portion of the same countrie to dwell in vnder euerlasting subiection. Upon this he tooke them to his grace, homage and fealtie: and when they were sworne his subiects and liegemen, he ordeined his kinsman Anguisan to be their king and gouernour, Urian king of Iland, and Mure|frence king of Orkeneie. He made an archbishop of Yorke also, whose authoritie extended through all Scotland.

Finallie, the said Arthur holding his roiall feast at Cairleon, had there all the kings that were sub|iects vnto him, among which, Angusian the said king of Scots did his due seruice and homage, so long as he was with him for the realme of Scotland, & bare king Arthurs sword afore him. Malgo shortlie af|ter succéeded in the whole kingdome of great Bri|taine, who vpon new resistance made, subdued Ire|land, Iland, the Orchads, Norwaie and Denmarke, and made Ethelfred a Saxon king of Bernicia, that is, Northumberland, Louthian, and much other land of Scotland, which Ethelfred by the sword obteined at the hands of the wilfull inhabitants, and continu|ed true subiect to this Malgo.

Cadwan succéeded in the kingdome of great Britaine, who in defense of his subiects the Scots, made warre vpon this Ethelfred, but at the last they agréed, and Cadwan vpon their rebellion gaue all Scotland vnto this Ethelfred, which he therevpon subdued and inioied: but afterward in the reigne of Cadwallo that next succeeded in great Britaine, he rebelled. Whervpon the same Cadwallo came in|to Scotland, and vpon his treason reseised the coun|trie into his owne hands, and hauing with him all the vicerois of the Saxons, which then inhabited here as his subiects, in singular battell he slue the same Ethelfred with his owne hands.

Oswald was shortlie after by Cadwallos gift made king of Bernicia, and he as subiect to Cad|wallo, and by his commandement discomfited the Scots and Picts, and subdued all Scotland. Oswie the brother of this Oswald, was by the like gift of Cadwallo, made next king of Bernicia, and he by like commandement newlie subdued the Scots and Picts, and held them in that obeisance to this Cad|wallo, during eight and twentie yeares. Thus Cad|wallo reigned in the whole monarchie of great Bri|taine, hauing all the seuen kings thereof, as well Saxons as others his subiects: for albeit the num|ber of Saxons from time to time greatlie increa|sed, yet were they alwaies either at the first expelled, or else made tributarie to the onelie kings of Bri|tons for the time being, as all their owne writers doo confesse.

Cadwallader was next king of the whole great Britaine, he reigned twelue yeares ouer all the kings thereof, in great peace and tranquillitie: and then vpon the lamentable death of his subiects, which died of sundrie diseases innumerablie, he departed into little Britaine. His sonne and cousine Iuor and Iue, being expelled out of England also by the Sax|ons, went into Wales, where among the Britons they and their posteritie remained princes. Upon this great alteration, and warres being through the whole dominion betwéene the Britons and Saxons, the Scots thought time to slip the collar of obedi|ence, and therevpon entred in league with Charles then king of France, establishing it in this wise.

1 The iniurie of Englishmen doone to anie of these people, shall be perpetuallie holden common to them both.

2 When Frenchmen be inuaded by English|men, the Scots shall send their armie in defense of France, so that they be supported with monie and vittels by the French.

3 When Scots be inuaded by Englishmen, the Frenchmen shall come vpon their owne expenses, to their support and succour.

4 None of the people shall take peace or truce with Englishmen, without the aduise of other, &c.

Manie disputable opinions may be had of warre without the praising of it,Nicholas Adams. as onlie admittable by in|forced necessitie, and to be vsed for peace sake onelie, where here the Scots sought warre for the loue of warre onelie. For their league giueth no benefit to themselues, either in frée traffike of their owne com|modities, or benefit of the French, or other priuilege to the people of both. What discommoditie riseth by loosing the intercourse and exchange of our commo|dities (being in necessaries more aboundant than France) the Scots féele, and we perfectlie know. What ruine of their townes, destruction of coun|tries, slaughter of both peoples, haue by reason of this bloudie league chanced, the histories be lamen|table to read, and horrible among christian men to be remembred: but God gaue the increase accor|ding to their séed, for as they did hereby sowe dissen|tion, so did they shortlie after reape a bloudie slaugh|ter and confusion. For Alpine their king, possessing a light mind that would be lost with a little wind, ho|ped by this league shortlie to subdue all great Bri|taine, and to that end not onelie rebelled in his owne kingdome, but also vsurped vpon the kingdome of Picts. Whervpon Edwine king of England, made one Brudeus king of Picts, whom he sent into Scot|land with a great power, where in battell he tooke this Alpine king of Scots prisoner, and discomfited his people. And this Alpine being their king found subiect and rebell, his head was striken off at a place in Scotland, which thereof is to this daie called Pa|salpine, that is to saie, the head of Alpine. And this was the first effect of their French league.

Osbright king of England, with Ella his subiect, and a great number of Britons and Saxons shortlie after, for that the Scots had of themselues elected a new king, entered Scotland, and ceassed not his war against them, vntill their king and people fled into the Iles, with whome at the last vpon their submissi|on, peace was made in this wise.

The water of Frith shall be march betwéene Scots and Englishmen in the east parts, and shall be named the Scotish sea.

The water of Cluide to Dunbriton, shall be march in the west parts betwéene the Scots and Britons. This castell was before called Alcluide, but now Dunbriton, that is to say, the castle of Britons, and sometimes it was destroied by the Danes. So the Britons had all the lands from Sterling to the Ireland seas, and from the water of Frith & Cluide to Cumber, with all the strengths and commodities thereof: and the Englishmen had the lands be|twéene Sterling and Northumberland. Thus was Cluide march betwéene the Scots and the Britons on the one side, and the water of Frith named the Scotish sea, march betwéene them and Englishmen on the other side, and Sterling common march to thrée people, Britons, Englishmen, and Scots, how|beit king Osbright had the castle of Sterling, where first he caused to be coined Sterling monie. The Englishmen also builded a bridge of stone, for pas|sage ouer the water of Frith, in the middest where|of they made a crosse, vnder which were written these verses: I am free march, as passengers may ken, To Scots, to Britons, and Englishmen.

Not manie yeares after this, Hinguar and Hub|ba, two Danes, with a great number of people, ar|riued in Scotland, and slue Constantine, whom Os|bright had before made king: wherevpon Edulfe or Ethelwulfe, then king of England, assembled his power against Hinguar and Hubba, and in one bat|tell slue them both; but such of their people as would remaine and become christians, he suffered to tarie: the rest he banished or put to death, &c.

This Ethelwulfe granted the Peter pence, of which albeit Peter & Paule had little need and lesse right: yet the paiment thereof continued in this realme euer after vntill now of late yeares. But the Scots euer since vnto this daie haue, and yet doo paie it, by reason of that grant, which prooueth them to be then vnder his obeisance.

Alured or Alfred succéeded in the kingdome of England, and reigned noblie ouer the whole monar|chie of great Britaine: he made lawes, that persons excommunicated should be disabled to sue or claime anie propertie; which law Gregour, whome this Alu|red had made king of Scots, obeied; and the same law as well in Scotland as in England is holden to this daie, which also prooueth him to be high lord of Scotland.

This Alured constreined Gregour king of Scots also to breake the league with France, for generallie he concluded with him, and serued him in all his warres, as well against Danes as others, not reser|uing or making anie exception of the former league with France.

The said Alured, after the death of Gregour, had the like seruice and obeisance of Donald king of Scots with fiue thousand horssemen, against one Gurmond a Dane that then infested the realme, and this Donald died in this faith and obeisance with Alured.

Edward the first of that name called Chifod sonne of this Alured succéeded his father, and was the next king of England: against whome Sithrtic a Dane and the Scots conspired; but they were subdued, and Constantine their king brought to obeisance. He held the realme of Scotland also of king Edward, and this dooth Marian their owne countrieman a Scot confesse: beside Roger Houeden, and William of Malmesberie.

In the yeare of our Lord 923, the same king Ed|ward was president and gouernour of all the people of England, Cumberland, Scots, Danes, and Bri|tons.

King Athelstane in like sort conquered Scotland, and as he laie in his tents beside Yorke, whilest the warres lasted, the king of Scots feined himselfe to be a minstrell, and harped before him onelie to espie his ordinance and his people. But being (as their writers confesse) corrupted with monie, he sold his faith and false heart together to the Danes, and ai|ded them against king Athelstane at sundrie times. Howbeit he met with all their vntruthes at Bron|ingfield in the west countrie, as is mentioned in the ninth chapter of the first booke of this description, where he discomfited the Danes, and slue Malcolme deputie in that behalfe to the king of Scots: in which battell the Scots confesse themselues to haue lost more people than were remembred in anie age be|fore. Then Athelstane following his good lucke, went throughout all Scotland and wholie subdued it, and being in possession thereof, gaue land there lieng in Annandale by his deed, the copie wherof dooth follow:

I king Athelstane, giues vnto Paulam, Oddam and Roddam, als good and als faire, as euer they mine were, and thereto witnesse Mauld my wife.

By which course words, not onelie appeareth the plaine simplicitie of mens dooings in those daies: but also a full proofe that he was then seized of Scot|land. At the last also he receiued homage of Mal|colme king of Scots: but for that he could not be re|stored to his whole kingdome, he entered into religi|on, and there shortlie after died.

Then Athelstane, for his better assurance of that countrie there after, thought it best to haue two stringes to the bowe of their obedience, and therefore not onelie constituted on Malcolme to be their king, but also appointed one Indulph sonne of Con|stantine the third, to be called prince of Scotland, to whome he gaue much of Scotland: and for this Malcolme did homage to Athelstane.

Edmund brother of Athelstane succéeded next king of England, to whome this Indulph then king of Scots not onelie did homage, but also serued him with ten thousand Scots, for the expulsion of the Danes out of the realme of England.

Edred or Eldred brother to this Edmund succée|ded next king of England:Some referre this to an Edward. he not onelie receiued the homage of Irise then king of Scots, but also the homage of all the barons of Scotland.

Edgar the sonne of Edmund, brother of Athel|stane, being now of full age, was next king of Eng|land: he reigned onelie ouer the whole monarchie of Britaine, and receiued homage of Keneth king of Scots for the kingdome of Scotland, and made Malcolme prince thereof.

This Edgar gaue vnto the same Keneth the countrie of Louthian in Scotland, which was before seized into the hands of Osbright king of England for their rebellion, as is before declared. He inioi|ned Keneth their said king also once in euerie yéere at certeine principall feasts (whereat the king did vse to weare his crowne) to repaire vnto him into England for the making of lawes: which in those daies was doone by the noble men or péeres accor|ding to the order of France at this daie. He allow|ed also sundrie lodgings in England, to him and his successours, whereat to lie, and refresh themselues in their iourneies, whensoeuer they should come vp to doo their homages: and finallie a péece of ground lieng beside the new palace of Westminster, vpon which this Keneth builded a house, that by him and his posseritie was inioied vntill the reigne of king Hen|rie the second. In whose time, vpon the rebellion of William king of Scots, it was resumed into the king of Englands hand. The house is decaied, but the ground where it stood is called Scotland to this daie.

Moreouer,Lawfull age and wardship of heires. Edgar made this law, that no man should succéed to his patrimonie or inheritance hol|den by knights seruice, vntill he accomplished the age of one and twentie yéeres: because by intend|ment vnder that age, he should not be able in person to serue his king and countrie according to the tenor of his deed, and the condition of his purchase. This law was receiued by the same Keneth in Scotland; and as well there as in England is obserued to this daie: which prooueth also that Scotland was then vnder his obeisance.

In the yeere of our Lord 974, Kinald king of Scots, and Malcolme king of Cumberland, Macon king of Man and the Iles, Duuenall king of South|wales, Siferth and Howell kings of the rest of Wales, Iacob or Iames of Gallowaie, & Iukill of Westmerland did homage to king Edgar at Ches|ter. And on the morrow going by water to the mo|nasterie of saint Iohns to seruice, and returning home againe: the said Edgar sitting in a barge, and stirring the same vpon the water of Dée, made the said kings to row the barge, saieng that his succes|sors might well be ioifull to haue the prerogatiue of so great honour, and the superioritie of so manie mightie princes to be subiect vnto their monar|chie.

Edward, the sonne of this Edgar, was next king of England, in whose time this Keneth king of Scots caused Malcolme king of Scotland to be poi|soned. Wherevpon king Edward made warre a|gainst him, which ceased not vntill this Keneth sub|mitted himselfe, and offered to receiue him for prince of Scotland, whome king Edward would appoint. Herevpon king Edward proclamed one Malcolme to be prince of Scotland, who immediatlie came in|to England, and there did homage vnto the same king Edward.

Etheldred, brother of this Edward succéeded next ouer England, against whome Swaine king of Denmarke conspired with this last Malcolme then king of Scots. But shortlie after, this Mal|colme sorrowfullie submitted himselfe into the de|fense of Etheldred: who considering how that which could not be amended, must onelie be repented, be|nignlie receiued him. By helpe of whose seruice at last Etheldred recouered his realme againe out of the hands of Swaine, and reigned ouer the whole monarchie eight and thirtie yéeres.

Edmund surnamed Ironside, sonne of this Ethel|dred, was next king of England, in whose time Ca|nutus a Dane inuaded the realme with much cruel|tie. But at the last he married with Emme some|time wise vnto Etheldred and mother of this Ed|mund. Which Emme, as arbitratrix betweene hir naturall loue to the one, and matrimoniall dutie to the other, procured such amitie betwéene them in the end, that Edmund was contented to diuide the realme with Canutus: and keeping to himselfe all England on this side Humber, gaue all the rest be|yond Humber, with the seigniorie of Scotland to this Canutus. Wherevpon Malcolme then king of Scots (after a little accustomable resistance) did ho|mage to the same Canutus for the kingdome of Scotland. Thus the said Canutus held the same o|uer of this Edmund king of England by the like seruices, so long as they liued togither. This Canu|tus in memorie of this victorie, and glorie of his seig|niorie ouer the Scots, commanded Malcolme their king to build a church in Buchquhan in Scotland, (where a field betweene him and them was fought) to be dedicated to Olauus patrone of Norwaie and Denmarke, which church was by the same Mal|colme accordinglie performed.

Edward called the Confessour, sonne of Ethel|dred, and brother to Edmund Ironside, was after|ward king of England: he tooke from Malcolme king of Scots his life and his kingdome, and made Malcolme soone to the king of Cumberland and Northumberland king of Scots, who did him ho|mage and fealtie.

This Edward perused the old lawes of the realme, and somewhat added to some of them: as to the law of Edgar for the wardship of the lands vntill the heire should accomplish the age of one and twen|tie yeeres. He added,To whome the marriage of the ward perteineth. that the marriage of such heire should also belong to the lord of whom the same land was holden. Also, that euerie woman marrieng a free man, should (notwithstanding she had no chil|dren by that husband) enioie the third part of his in|heritance during hir life: with manie other lawes which the same Malcolme king of Scots obeied, and which as well by them in Scotland, as by vs in Eng|land be obserued to this day, and directlie prooueth the whole to be then vnder his obeisance.

By reason of this law, Malcolme the sonne of Duncane next inheritor to the crowne of Scotland, being within age, was by the nobles of Scotland deliuered as ward to the custodie also of king Ed|ward. During whose minoritie, one Makebeth a Scot traitorouslie vsurped the crowne of Scotland. Against whome the said Edward made warre, in which the said Mackbeth was ouercome and slaine. Wherevpon the said Malcolme was crowned king of Scots at Scone, in the eight yeere of the reigne of king Edward aforesaid. This Malcolme also by tenor of the said new law of wardship, was married vnto Margaret the daughter of Edward sonne of Edmund Ironside and Agatha, by the disposition of the same king Edward, and at his full age did ho|mage to this king Edward the Confessour for the kingdome of Scotland.

Moreouer,Edward the Confessour. Edward of England, hauing no is|sue of his bodie, and mistrusting that Harald the son of Goodwine, descended of the daughter of Harald Harefoot the Dane, would vsurpe the crowne, if he should leaue it to his cousine Edgar Eatling (being then within age) and partlie by the petition of his sub|iects, who before had sworne neuer to receiue anie kings ouer them of the Danish nation, did by his sub|stantiall will in writing (as all our clergie writers affirme) demise the crowne of great Britaine vnto William Bastard, then duke of Normandie, and to his heires, constituting him his heire testamentarie. Also there was proximitie in bloud betwéene them: for Emme daughter of Richard duke of Norman|die was wife vnto Etheldred, on whom he begat A|lured and this Edward: and this William was son of Robert sonne of Richard, brother of the whole bloud to the same Emme. Whereby appeareth that this William was heire by title, and not by con|quest, albeit that partlie to extinguish the mistrust of other titles, and partlie for the glorie of his victorie, he chalenged in the end, the name of a conquerour, and hath béene so written euer since the time of his arriuall.

Furthermore,William Bastard. this William, called the Bastard and the Conquerour, supposed not his conquest per|fect till he had likewise subdued the Scots. Wherfore to bring the Scots to iust obeisance after his coro|nation, as heire testamentarie to Edward the Con|fessour; he entred Scotland, where after a little re|sistance made by the inhabitants, the said Malcolme then their king did homage to him at Abirnethie in Scotland for the kingdome of Scotland, as to his superiour also by meane of his late conquest.

William surnamed Rufus,William Rufus. sonne to this Wil|liam called the Conquerour, succéeded next in the throne of England, to whome the said Malcolme king of Scots did like homage for the whole king|dome of Scotland. But afterward he rebelled, and was by this William Rufus slaine in plaine field. Wherevpon the Scotishmen did choose one Donald or Dunwall to be their king. But this William Rufus deposed him, and created Dunkane sonne of Malcolme to be their king, who did like homage to him. Finallie, this Dunkane was slaine by the Scots, and Dunwall restored, who once againe by this William Rufus was deposed; and Edgar son of Malcolme, and brother to the last Malcolme, was by him made their king, who did like homage for Scotland to this William Rufus.

Henrie called Beauelerke the sonne of William called the Conqueour,Henrie 1. after the death of his brother William Rufus, succéeded to the crowne of Eng|land, to whome the same Edgar king of Scots did homage for Scotland: this Henrie Beauclerke ma|ried Mawd the daughter of Malcome II. of Scots, and by hir had issue Mawd afterward empresse.

Alexander the sonne of Malcolme brother to this Mawd was next king of Scots, he did like homage for the kingdome of Scotland to this Henrie the first, as Edgar had doone before him.

Mawd called the empresse,Mawd. daughter and heire to Henrie Beauclerke and Mawd his wife, receiued homage of Dauid, brother to hir and to this Alexan|der next king of Scots, before all the temporall men of England for the kingdome of Scotland. This Mawd the empresse gaue vnto Dauid in the marri|age, Mawd the daughter and heire of Uoldosius earle of Huntingdon & Northumberland. And here|in their euasion appeareth, by which they allege that their kings homages were made for the earledome of Huntingdon. For this Dauid was the first that of their kings was earle of Huntingdon, which was since all the homages of their kings before recited, and at the time of this mariage, & long after the said Alexander his brother was king of Scots, doing the homage aforesaid to Henrie Beauclerke son to the aforesaid ladie, of whome I find this epitaph worthie to be remembred: Ortu magna, viro maior, sed maxima partu, Hic iacet Henrici filia, sponsa, parens.

In the yeere of our Lord 1136, and first yeere of the reigne of king Stephan, the said Dauid king of Scots being required to doo his homage, refused it: for so much as he had doone homage to Mawd the empresse before time; notwithstanding the sonne of the said Dauid did homage to king Stephan.

Henrie called Fitz empresse,Henrie 2. the sonne of Mawd the empresse daughter of Mawd, daughter of Mal|colme king of Scots, was next king of England. He receiued homage for Scotland of Malcolme sonne of Henrie, sonne of the said Dauid their last king. Which Malcolme after this homage attended vpon the same king Henrie in his warres against Lewis then king of France. Whereby appeareth that their French league was neuer renewed after the last diuision of their countrie by Osbright king of England. But after these warres finished with the French king, this Malcolme being againe in Scot|land rebelled: wherevpon king Henrie immediat|lie seized Huntingdon and Northumberland into his owne hands by confiscation, and made warres vpon him in Scotland: during which the same Malcolme died without issue of his bodie.

William brother of this Malcolme was next king of Scots, he with all the nobles of Scotland (which could not be now for anie earledome) did ho|mage to the sonne of Henrie the second; Because they were taken from him before. with a re|seruation of the dutie to king Henrie the second his father. Also the earledome of Huntingdon was (as ye haue heard) before this forfeited by Malcolme his brother, and neuer after restored to the crowne of Scotland.

This William did afterward attend vpon the same Henrie the second, in his warres in Norman|die against the French king (notwithstanding their French league) and then being licenced to depart home in the tenth of this prince, and vpon the fif|téenth of Februarie he returned, and vpon the six|téenth of October did homage to him for the realme of Scotland. In token also of his perpetuall subiec|tion to the crowne of England, he offered vp his cloake, his faddle, and his speare at the high altar in Yorke: wherevpon he was permitted to depart home into Scotland, where immediatlie he mooued cruell warre in Northumberland against the same king Henrie, being as yet in Normandie. But God tooke the defense of king Henries part, and deliue|red the same William king of Scots into the hands of a few Englishmen, who brought him prisoner to king Henrie into Normandie in the twentith yeere of his reigne. But at the last, at the sute of Dauid his brother, Richard bishop of saint Andrews, and other bishops and lords, he was put to this fine for the amendment of his trespasse; to wit, to paie ten thousand pounds sterling, and to surrender all his title to the earldome of Huntingdon, Cumberland, & Northumberland into the hands of king Henrie, which he did in all things accordinglie, sealing his charters thereof with the great seale of Scotland, and signets of his nobilitie yet to be seene: wherein it was also comprised, that he and his successours should hold the realme of Scotland of the king of England and his successours for euer. And herevp|on he once againe did homage to the same king Henrie, which now could not be for the earledome of Huntingdon, the right whereof was alreadie by him surrendred. And for the better assurance of this faith also, the strengths of Berwike, Edenborough, Roxborough, and Striueling were deliuered into the hands of our king Henrie of England, which their owne writers confesse. But Hector Boetius saith, that this trespasse was amended by fine of twentie thousand pounds sterling, and that the erle|dome of Huntingdon, Cumberland, and Northum|berland were deliuered as morgage into the hands of king Henrie, vntill other ten thousand pounds sterling should be to him paid, which is so farre from truth, as Hector was (while he liued) from well mea|ning to our countrie. But if we grant that it is true, yet prooueth he not that the monie was paid, nor the land otherwise redéemed, or euer after came to anie Scotish kings hands. And thus it appeareth that the earledome of Huntingdon was neuer oc|casion of the homages of the Scotish kings to the kings of England, either before this time or af|ter.

This was doone 1175. Moreouer I read this note hereof gathered out of Robertus Montanus or Mon|tensis that liued in those daies, and was (as I take it) confessor to king Henrie. The king of Scots dooth ho|mage to king Henrie for the kingdome of Scot|land, and is sent home againe, his bishops also did promise to doo the like to the archbishop of Yorke, and to acknowledge themselues to be of his prouince and iurisdiction. By vertue also of this composition the said Robert saith, that Rex Angliae dabat honores, e|piscopatus, abbatias, & alias dignitates in Scotia, vel saltem eius consilio dabantur, that is, The king of England gaue honors, bishopriks, abbatships, and other dig|nities in Scotland, or at the leastwise they were not giuen without his aduise and counsell.

At this time Alexander bishop of Rome (supposed to haue generall iurisdiction ecclesiasticall through christendome) established the whole cleargie of Scot|land (according to the old lawes) vnder the iurisdicti|on of the archbishop of Yorke.

In the yeare of our Lord 1185, in the moneth of August, at Cairleill, Rouland Talmant lord of Gal|waie, did homage and fealtie to the said king Henrie with all that held of him.

In the two and twentith yeare of the reigne of king Henrie the second, Gilbert sonne of Ferguse prince of Galwaie, did homage and fealtie to the said king Henrie, and left Dunecan his sonne in hostage for conseruation of his peace.

Richard surnamed Coeur de Lion, because of his stoutnesse, and sonne of this Henrie was next king of England, to whome the same William king of Scots did homage at Canturburie for the whole kingdome of Scotland.

This king Richard was taken prisoner by the duke of Ostrich, for whose redemption the whole realme was taxed at great summes of monie, vnto the which this William king of Scots (as a subiect) was contributorie, and paied two thousand markes sterling.

In the yeare of our Lord 1199, Iohn king of England sent to William king of Scots, to come and doo his homage, which William came to Lin|colne in the moneth of December the same yeare, and did his homage vpon an hill in the presence of Hubert archbishop of Canturburie, and of all the people there assembled, and therevnto tooke his oth and was sworne vpon the crosse of the said Hubert: also he granted by his charter confirmed, that he should haue the mariage of Alexander his sonne, as his liegeman, alwaies to hold of the king of Eng|land: promising moreouer that he the said king Wil|liam and his sonne Alexander, should keepe and hold faith and allegiance to Henrie sonne of the said king Iohn, as to their chiefe lord against all maner of men that might liue and die.

Also whereas William king of Scots had put Iohn bishop of saint Andrew out of his bishoprike, pope Clement wrote to Henrie king of England, that he should mooue and induce the same William; and if néed required by his roiall power and preroga|tiue ouer that nation, to compell him to leaue his rancor against the said bishop, and suffer him to haue and occupie his said bishoprike againe.

In the yeare of our Lord 1216, and fiue & twen|tith of the reigne of Henrie, sonne to king Iohn, the same Henrie and the quéene were at Yorke at the feast of Christmasse, for the solemnization of a mar|riage made in the feast of saint Stephan the martyr the same yeare, betwéene Alexander king of Scots, and Margaret the kings daughter, and there the said Alexander did homage to Henrie king of England for all the realme of Scotland.

In buls of diuerse popes were admonitions gi|uen to the kings of Scots, as appeareth by that of Gregorie the fift and Clement his successor, that they should obserue and trulie kéepe all such appoint|ments, as had béene made betwéene the kings of England and Scotland. And that the kings of Scot|land should still hold the realme of Scotland of the kings of England, vpon paine of cursse and interdic|tion.

After the death of Alexander king of Scots, A|lexander his sonne, being nine yeares of age, was by the lawes of Edgar, in ward to king Henrie the third, & by the nobles of Scotland brought to Yorke, and there deliuered vnto him. During whose mino|ritie king Henrie gouerned Scotland, and to subdue a commotion in this realme, vsed the aid of fiue thou|sand Scotishmen. But king Henrie died during the nonage of this Alexander, whereby he receiued not his homage, which by reason and law was respited vntill his full age of one and twentie yeares.

Edward the first after the conquest, sonne of this Henrie was next king of England; immediatlie af|ter whose coronation, Alexander king of Scots, be|ing then of full age, did homage to him for Scotland at Westminster, swearing (as all the rest did) after this maner.

I. D. N. king of Scots shall be true and faithfull vn|to you lord E. by the grace of God king of England, the noble and superior lord of the kingdome of Scot|land, and vnto you I make my fidelitie for the same, kingdome, the which I hold and claime to hold of you. And I shall beare you my faith and fidelitie of life and lim, and worldlie honour against all men, faithfullie I shall knowlege and shall doo you seruice due vnto you of the kingdome of Scotland afore|said, as God me so helpe and these holie euangelies.

This Alexander king of Scots died, leauing one onelie daughter called Margaret for his heire, who before had maried Hanigo, sonne to Magnus king of Norwaie, which daughter also shortlie after died, leauing one onelie daughter hir heire, of the age of two yeares, whose custodie and mariage by the lawes of king Edgar, and Edward the confessor, belonged to Edward the first: whervpon the nobles of Scot|land were commanded by our king Edward to send into Norwaie, to conueie this yoong queene into England to him, whome he intended to haue mari|ed to his sonne Edward: and so to haue made a per|fect vnion long wished for betwéene both realmes. Herevpon their nobles at that time considering the same tranquillitie that manie of them haue since refused, stood not vpon shifts and delaies of minori|tie nor contempt, but most gladlie consented, and therevpon sent two noble men of Scotland into Norwaie, for hir to be brought to this king Edward, but she died before their comming thither, and there|fore they required nothing but to inioie the lawfull liberties that they had quietlie possessed in the last king Alexanders time.

After the death of this Margaret, the Scots were destitute of anie heire to the crowne from this Alex|ander their last king, at which time this Edward des|cended from the bodie of Mawd daughter of Mal|colme sometime king of Scots, being then in the greatest broile of his warres with France, minded not to take the possession of that kingdome in his owne right, but was contented to establish Balioll to be king thereof, the weake title betwéene him, Bruse, & Hastings, being by the humble petition of all the realme of Scotland cõmitted to the determi|nation of king Edward, wherein by autentike wri|ting they confessed the superioritie of the realme to remaine in king Edward, sealed with the seales of foure bishops, seuen earles, and twelue barons of Scotland, and which shortlie after was by the whole assent of the three estates of Scotland, in their so|lemne parlement confessed and enacted according|lie, as most euidentlie dooth appeare.

The Balioll in this wise made king of Scotland, did immediatlie make his homage and fealtie at Newcastell vpon saint Stéeuens daie (as did like|wise all the lords of Scotland, each one setting his hand to the composition in writing) to king Edward of England for the kingdome of Scotland: but shortlie after defrauding the benigne goodnesse of his superiour, he rebelled, and did verie much hurt in England. Herevpon king Edward inuaded Scot|land, seized into his hands the greater part of the countrie, and tooke all the strengths thereof. Wher|vpon Balioll king of Scots came vnto him to Mauntrosse in Scotland with a white wand in his hand, and there resigned the crowne of Scotland, with all his right, title, and interest to the same, into the hands of king Edward, and thereof made his charter in writing, dated and sealed the fourth yeare of his reigne. All the nobles and gentlemen of Scot|land also repaired to Berwike, and did homage and fealtie to king Edward, there becomming his sub|iects. For the better assurance of whose oths also, king Edward kept all the strengths and holdes of Scotland in his owne hands; and herevpon all their lawes, processes, all iudgements, gifts of assises and others, passed vnder the name and authoritie of king Edward. Leland touching the same rehearsall, writeth thereof in this maner.

In the yeare of our Lord 1295, the same Iohn king of Scots, contrarie to his faith and allegiance rebelled against king Edward, and came into Eng|land, and burnt and siue without all modestie and mercie. Wherevpon king Edward with a great host went to Newcastell vpon Tine, passed the water of Twéed, besieged Berwike, and got it. Also he wan the castell of Dunbar, and there were slaine at this brunt 15700 Scots. Then he proceeded further, and gat the castell of Rokesborow, and the castell of E|denborow, Striuelin and Gedworth, and his peo|ple harried all the land. In the meane season, the said king Iohn of Scots, considering that he was not of power to withstand king Edward, sent his letters and besought him of treatie and peace, which our prince benignlie granted, and sent to him againe that he should come to the towre of Brechin, and bring thither the great lords of Scotland with him. The king of England sent thither Antonie Becke bishop of Durham, with his roiall power, to con|clude the said treatise. And there it was agreed that the said Iohn and all the Scots should vtterlie sub|mit themselues to the kings will. And to the end the submission should be performed accordinglie, the king of Scots laid his sonne in hostage and pledge vnto him. There also he made his letters sealed with the common scale of Scotland, by the which he knowledging his simplenes and great offense doone to his lord king Edward of England, by his full power and frée will yeelded vp all the land of Scot|land, with all the people and homage of the same. Then our king went foorth to sée the mounteins, and vnderstanding that all was in quiet and peace, he turned to the abbeie of Scone, which was of chanons, regular, where he tooke the stone called the Regall of Scotland, vpon which the kings of that nation were woont to sit, at the time of their coronations for a throne,The Scots dreame that this was the stone whereon Iacob slept when he fled into Meso|potamia. & sent it to the abbeie of Westminster, com|manding to make a chaire therof for the priests that should sing masse at the high altar: which chaire was made, and standeth yet there at this daie to be séene.

In the yeare of our Lord 1296, the king held his parlement at Berwike: and there he tooke homage singularlie of diuerse of the lords & nobles of Scot|land. And for a perpetuall memorie of the same, they made their letters patents sealed with their seales, and then the king of England made William War|reine earle of Surrie and Southsax lord Warden of Scotland, Hugh of Cressingham treasuror, and William Ormesbie iustice of Scotland, and foorth|with sent king Iohn to the Tower of London, and Iohn Comin, and the earle Badenauth, the earle of Bohan and other lords into England to diuerse pla|ces on this side of the Trent.

And after that, in the yeare of our Lord 1297, at the feast of Christmas, the king called before him the said Iohn king of Scots, although he had committed him to ward: and said that he would burne or de|stroie their castels, townes and lands, if he were not recompensed for his costs and damages susteined in the warres; but king Iohn and the other that were in ward, answered that they had nothing, sith their liues, their deaths, and goods were in his hands. The king vpon that answer mooued with pitie, granted them their liues; so that they would doo their ho|mage, and make their oth solemnelie at the high al|tar (in the church of the abbeie of Westminster) vpon the eucharist, that they and euerie of them should hold and keepe true faith, obedience, and allegiance to the said king Edward and his heires kings of England for euer. And where the said king of Scots saw the kings banner of England displaied, he and all his power should draw therevnto. And that nei|ther he or anie of his from thencefoorth should beare armes against the king of England or anie of his bloud. Finallie, the king rewarding with great gifts the said king Iohn and his lords, suffered them to depart. But they went into Scotland alwaie ima|gining (notwithstanding this their submission) how they might oppresse king Edward, and disturbe his realme. The Scots sent also to the king of France for succour and helpe, who sent them ships to Ber|wike furnished with men of armes, the king of En|gland then being in Flanders.

In the yeare of our Lord 1298, the king went in|to Scotland with a great host, and the Scots also as|sembled in great number, but the king fought with them at Fawkirke on S. Marie Magdalens daie, where were slaine thréescore thousand Scots, & Wil|lain Walleis that was their capteine fled, who be|ing taken afterward, was hanged, drawen, & quar|tered at London, for his trespasses.

After this the Scots rebelled againe, and all the lords of Scotland chose Robert Bruse to be king, except onelie Iohn Commin earle of Carrike, who would not consent thereto bicause of his oth made to the king of England.This was doone vpon the nine & twen|tith of Ianu|arie, 1306. Wherefore Robert Bruse slue him at Dumfrise, and then was crowned at Schone abbeie. Herevpon the king of England assembled a great hoast, and rode through all Scotland, discomfi|ted Robert Bruse, slue eight thousand Scots, & tooke the most part of all the lords of Scotland, putting the temporall lords to deth bicause they were forsworne.

Edward borne at Carnaruan sonne of this Ed|ward, was next king of England, who from the be|ginning of his reigne enioied Scotland peaceablie, dooing in all things as is aboue said of king Edward his father, vntill toward the later end of his reigne, about which time this Robert Bruse conspired a|gainst him, and with the helpe of a few forsworne Scots, forswore himselfe king of Scots. Herevpon this Edward with Thomas earle of Lancaster and manie other lords made warre vpon him, about the feast of Marie Magdalene, the said Bruse and his partakers being alreadie accurssed by the pope for breaking the truce that he had established betwixt them. But being infortunate in his first warres a|gainst him, he suffered Edward the sonne of Balioll to proclame himselfe king of Scots; and neuerthe|lesse held foorth his warres against Bruse, before the ending of which he died, as I read.

Edward borne at Windsore sonne of Edward the second was next king of England, at the age of fifteene yeares, in whose minoritie the Scots practi|sed with Isabell mother to this Edward, and with Roger Mortimer earle of the March to haue their homages released: whose good will therein they ob|teined, so that for the same release they should paie to this king Edward thirtie thousand pounds star|ling, in three yeares next following, that is to saie, ten thousand pounds starling yeerelie. But bicause the nobilitie and commons of this realme would not by parlement consent vnto it, their king being with|in age, the same release procéeded not, albeit the Scots ceased not their practises with this quéene and earle. But before those thrée yeares, in which their me|nie (if the bargaine had taken place) should haue béene paied, were expired, our king Edward inua|ded Scotland, and ceassed not the warre, vntill Da|uid the sonne of Robert le Bruse (then by their electi|on king of Scotland) absolutelie submitted himselfe vntohim. But for that the said Dauid Bruse had be|fore by practise of the quéene and the earle of March, married Iane the sister of this king Edward: he mooued by naturall zeale to his sister, was contented to giue the realme of Scotland to this Dauid Bruse, and to the heires that should be be gotten of the bodie of the said Iane (sauing the reuersion and meane ho|mages to this king Edward and to his owne chil|dren) wherewith the same Dauid Bruse was right well contented, and therevpon immediatlie made his homage for all the realme of Scotland to him.

Howbeit, shortlie after causelesse conceiuing cause of displeasure, this Dauid procured to dissolue this same estate tailée, and therevpon not onelie rebelled in Scotland, but also inuaded England, whilest king Edward was occupied about his wars in France. But this Dauid was not onelie expelled England in the end, but also thinking no place a sufficient de|fense to his vntruth, of his owne accord fled out of Scotland: whereby the countries of Annandale, Gallowaie, Mars, Teuidale, Twedale, and Ethrike were seized into the king of Englands hands, and new marches set betwéene England and Scotland at Cockbu illegible nes path & Sowtrie hedge. Which when this Dauid went about to recouer againe, his power was discomfited, and himselfe by a few Englishmen taken & brought into England, where he remained prisoner eleuen yeares after his said apprehension.

During this time, king Edward enioied Scot|land peaceablie, and then at the contemplation and wearie suit of his sorowfull sister, wife of this Da|uid, he was contented once againe to restore him to the kingdome of Scotland. Wherevpon it was con|cluded, that for this rebellion Dauid should paie to king Edward, the summe of one hundred thousand markes starling, and there to destroie all his holdes and fortresses standing against the English borders, and further assure the crowne of Scotland to the children of this king Edward for lacke of heire of his owne bodie, all which things he did accordinglie. And for the better assurance of his obeisance also, he afterward deliuered into the hands of king Edward sundrie noble men of Scotland in this behalfe as his pledges. This is the effect of the historie of Dauid, touching his delings. Now let vs sée what was doone by Edward Balioll, wherof our chronicles doo report, that in the yéere of our Lord 1326, Edward the third, king of England, was crowned at Westminster, and in the fift yeare of his reigne Edward Balioll right heire to the kingdome of Scotland came in, and claimed it as due to him. Sundrie lords and gen|tlemen also, which had title to diuerse lands there, ei|ther by themselues, or by their wiues, did the like. Wherevpon the said Balioll and they went into Scotland by sea, and landing at Kinghorns with 3000 Englishmen, discomfited 10000 Scots, and flue 1200, and then went foorth to Dunfermeline, where the Scots assembled against them with 40000 men, and in the feast of saint Laurence, at a place called Gastmore (or otherwise Gladmore) were slaine fiue earls, thirtéene barons, a hundred and thrée score knights, two thousand men of armes, and ma|nie other; in all fortie thousand: and there were staine on the English part but thirtéene persons onelie, if the number be not corrupted.

In the eight yeare of the reigne of king Edward, he assembled a great hoast, and came to Berwike vpon Twéed, and laid siege therto. To him also came Edward Balioll king of Scots, with a great power to strengthen & aid him against the Scots, who came out of Scotland in foure batels well armed & araied.

Edward king of England, and Edward king of Scots, apparrelled their people either of them in foure battels: and vpon Halidon hill, beside Ber|wike, met these two hoasts, and there were discomfi|ted of the Scots fiue and twentie thousand and sea|uen hundred, whereof were slaine eight earles, a thousand and thrée hundred knights and gentlemen. This victorie doone, the king returned to Berwike, & then the towne with the castell were yéelded vp vn|to him. In the eight yeare of the reigne of king Ed|ward of England, Edward Balioll king of Scots came to Newcastell vpon Tine, and did homage for all the realme of Scotland.

In the yeare of our Lord 1346, Dauid Bruse by the prouocation of the king of France rebelled, and came into England with a great hoast vnto Neuils crosse: but the archbishop of Yorke, with diuerse temporall men, fought with him; and the said king of Scots was taken, and William earle of Duglas with Morrise earle of Strathorne were brought to London, and manie other lords slaine, which with Dauid did homage to Edward king of England.

And in the thirtith yeare of the kings reigne, and the yeare of our Lord 1355, the Scots woone the towne of Berwicke, but not the castell. Herevpon the king came thither with a great hoast, and anon the towne was yéelded vp without anie resistance.

Edward Balioll, considering that God did so ma|nie maruellous and gratious things for king Ed|ward, at his owne will gaue vp the crowne and the realme of Scotland to king Edward of England at Rokesborough, by his letters patents. And anon af|ter the king of England, in presence of all his lords spirituall and temporall, let crowne himselfe king there of the realme of Scotland, & ordeined all things to his intent, and so came ouer into England.

Richard the sonne of Edward, called the Blacke prince, sonne of this king Edward, was next king of England, who for that the said Iane, the wife of the said king Dauid of Scotland was deceassed without issue, and being informed how the Scots de|uised to their vttermost power to breake the limita|tion of this inheritance touching the crowne of Scotland, made foorthwith war against them, where|in he burnt Edenbrough, spoiled all their countrie, tooke all their holds, & held continuallie war against them vntill his death, which was Anno Dom. 1389.

Henrie the fourth of that name was next king of England, he continued these warres begun against them by king Richard, and ceassed not vntill Robert king of Scots (the third of that name) resigned his crowne by appointment of this king Henrie, and de|liuered his sonne Iames, being then of the age of nine yeares, into his hands to remaine at his custo|die, wardship and disposition, as of his superiour lord, according to the old lawes of king Edward the confessor. All this was doone Anno Dom. 1404, which was within fiue yeares after the death of king Ri|chard. This Henrie the fourth reigned in this estate ouer them fouretéene yeares.

Henrie the fift of that name, sonne to this king Henrie the fourth, was next king of England. He made warres against the French king, in all which this Iames then king of Scots attended vpon him, as vpon his superiour lord, with a conuenient num|ber of Scots, notwithstanding their league with France. But this Henrie reigned but nine yeares, whereby the homage of this Iames their king (ha|uing not fullie accomplished the age of one & twentie yeares) was by reason and law respited. Finallie the said Iames with diuerse other lords attended vpon the corps of the said Henrie vnto Westminster, as to his dutie apperteined.

Henrie the sixt, the sonne of this Henrie the fift, was next king of England, to whome the seigniorie of Scotland & custodie of this Iames by right, law, and reason descended, married the same Iames king of Scots to Iane daughter of Iohn earle of Sum|merset, at saint Marie ouer Ise in Southwarke, and tooke for the value of this mariage, the summe of one hundred thousand markes starling.

This Iames king of Scots at his full age, did ho|mage to the same king Henrie the sixt, for the king|dome of Scotland at Windsore, in the moneth of Ianuarie.

Since which time, vntill the daies of king Henrie the seuenth, grandfather to our souereigne ladie that now is, albeit this realme hath béene molested with diuersitie of titles, in which vnmeet time neither law nor reason admit prescription to the preiudice of anie right: yet did king Edward the fourth next king of England, by preparation of war against the Scots in the latter end of his reigne, sufficientlie by all lawes induce to the continuance of his claime to the same superioritie ouer them.

After whose death, vnto the beginning of the reigne of our souereigne lord king Henrie the eight, excée|ded not the number of seauen and twentie yeares, about which time the impediment of our claime of the Scots part, chanced by the nonage of Iames their last king, which so continued the space of one and twentie yeares. And like as his minoritie was by all law and reason an impediment to himselfe to make homage; so was the same by like reason an im|pediment to the king of this realme to demand anie, so that the whole time of intermission of our claime in the time of the said king Henrie the eight, is dedu|ced vnto the number of thirteene yeares. And thus much for this matter.

_HAuing hitherto discoursed vp|on the title of the kings of England, vnto the Scotish kingdome: I haue now thought good to adde here vnto the description of two walles that were (in times past) li|mits vnto both the said regi|ons, and therefore to be touched in this first booke, as generallie appertinent vnto the estate of the whole Iland; and no lesse famous than that which Anasta|sius Dicorus made afterward from the Euxine vnto the Thracian sea, conteining 420 furlongs in length, and twelue foot in bredth, & distant from Constantino|ple 280 furlongs, albeit that of Hadrian was made of turffe and timber. The author therefore of the first wall was Hadrian the emperour,The first be|ginner of the Picts wall. who (as Aelius Spartianus saith) erected the same of foure score miles in length, twelue foot in heigth, and eight in bredth, to diuide the barbarous Britons from the more ciuill sort, which then were generallie called by the name of Romans ouer all.

After his time Seuerus the emperour commingThe finisher of the wall. againe into this Ile (where he had serued before in repression of the tumults here begun, after the death of Lucius) amongst other things he made another wall (but of stone) betwéene eightie and a hundred miles from the first, & of thirtie two miles in length, reaching on both sides also to the sea, of whome the Britons called it S. Murseueri, or Gwall Seueri, that is, The wall of Seuerus, or Seuerus dale, which later indureth vntill these daies in fresh memorie, by reason of the ruines & square stones there oft found, whose inscriptions declare the authors of that worke. It is worthie the noting also, how that in this voiage he lost 50000 men in the Scotish side, by one occasi|on and other, which hinderance so incensed him, that he determined vtterlie to extinguish their memorie from vnder heauen, and had so doone in déed, if his life had indured but vntill another yeare. Sextus Aureli|us writing of Seuerus,The wall go|eth not streict by a line, but in and out in manie places. addeth, how that the wall made by this prince conteined two and thirtie miles, whereby the bredth of this Iland there, and length of the wall conteineth onelie so manie miles, as may be gathered by his words. But chéeflie for the length of the wall, Spartianus who touching it among other things saith of Seuerus as followeth: Britanniam (quod maximum eius imperij decus est) muro per transuersam insulam ducto, vtrin ad finem oceani muniuit, that is, He fortified Britaine (which is one of the chéefe acts re|corded of his time) with a wall made ouerthwart the Ile, that reached on both sides euen to the verie Ocean.

That this wall was of stone also,The stuffe of the wall. the ruines therof (which haue ministred much matter to such as dwell néere therevnto in their buildings) is triall sufficient. Heereby in like sort it commeth to passe, that where the soile about it is least inhabited, there is most mention of the said wall, which was wrought of squared stone, as vntill this daie maie euidentlie be confirmed. Howbeit, these two walles were not the onelie partitions betwéene these two kingdoms, sith Iulius Capitolinus in vita. Antonini Pij dooth write of another that Lollius Vrbicus made beyond the same,Two other wals. of turffe, in the time of the said prince, who (for his victories in Britaine) was also called Britannicus, which neuerthelesse was often throwne downe by the Scots, and eftsoones repared againe, vntill it was giuen ouer and relinquished altogither. It run|neth (as I take it) also within the wall about an ar|row shot from that of stone: but how farre it went, as yet I cannot find.A rampire. This onlie remaineth certeine, that the walles made by Hadrian & Seuerus, were ditched with notable ditches and rampires made in such wise, that the Scotish aduersarie had much a doo to enter and scale the same in his assaults. And yet for all this, I read that the Scots oftentimes pulled downe great parcels of the same, to make their ac|cesse more easie into the south parts: but as it was eftsoons repared againe, so the last time of all it was amended by the Romane soldiors, which came ouer verie little before the time of Uortiger, at which sea|son the land was in maner left void of soldiors and munition. Betwixt Thirlewall and the north Tine, are also in the waste grounds, manie parcels of that wall of Seuerus yet standing, whereof the common people doo babble manie things.

Beginning therefore with the course thereof, from the west sea,The course of the wall from west to east. I find that it runneth from Bolnesse to Burgh, about foure miles, and likewise from thence within halfe a mile of Carleill, and lesse on the north side, and beneath the confluence of the Peder and the Eden. From hence it goeth to Terrebie, a village about a mile from Caerleill, then through the ba|ronie of Linstocke, and Gillesland, on the north side of the riuer Irding or Arding, and a quarter of a mile from the abbeie of Leuercost. Thence thrée miles aboue Leuercost, and aboue the confluence of Arding, and the Pultrose becke (which diuideth Gil|lesland in Cumberland, from south Tindale in Nor|thumberland) it goeth to Thirlwall castell, then to the wall towne, next of all ouer the riuer to Swensheld, Carraw (peraduenture Cairuoren tower) to Wal|wtjc, and so ouer south Tine, to Cockelie tower, Portgate, Halton sheles, Winchester, Rutchester, Heddon, Walhottle, Denton, and to Newcastell, where it is thought that saint Nicholas church stan|deth on the same. Howbeit Leland saith, that it goeth within a mile of Newcastell, and then crooketh vp toward Tinmouth vnto Wallesend, three miles from the mouth of the said riuer, so called bicause the aforesaid wall did end at the same place. And thus much I read of the Pictish wall. As for the Romane coine that is often found in the course thereof, the cu|rious bricks about the same néere vnto Caerleill, be|side the excellent cornellines and other costlie stones alreadie intailed for seales oftentimes taken vp in those quarters, I passe them ouer as not incident to my purpose.

In like maner I would gladlie also haue set downe the course of Offaes ditch, which was march betwéene the Mercian dominions, and the Welshmen in his time: but for so much as the trac|tation thereof is not to be referred to this place, bi|cause it is not a thing generall to the whole Iland, I omit to speake of that also. Yet thus much will I note here, as well by the report of one (who saith how he did tread it out) that he followed it from the Dee to Kirnaburgh hill through Treuelach forrest, by est of Crekith Cauch hill, Montgomerie castell, the New castell and Discoid, and hauing brought it hitherto, either lost it, or sought after it no further: as by the testimonie of another, who writing thereof, saith, that it stretched from the south side by Bristow, along vnder the mounteins of Wales northwards, ouer the riuer of Sauerne, and to the verie mouth also of the Dée, where it falleth into the sea. And so much of such things as concerne the generall estate of the whole Iland, which labour herein I could verie well haue spared, and would, if Quintus had performed the request of Cicero his brother, who promised to send him ouer a sound aduertisement of the condition of Britaine in those daies: as appeareth in the second booke of his familiar epistles, where he saith; Modò mihi date Britanniam, quam pingam coloribus tuis penicillo meo, &c. But sithence that was not performed, and the treatise of Demetrius and other of the same ar|gument are perished, which were of some value, let this trifle (I beseech you) not be reiected, till some other man of better skill shall haue drawne a more abso|lute péece of workemanship, wherevnto my vnskil|fulnesse (I hope) shall prooue no hinderance.

_SUch as haue written of the woonders of our countrie in old time, haue spoken (no doubt) of manie things, which deserue no credit at all: and therefore in séeking thankes of their posteritie by thier trauell in this behalfe; they haue reaped the reward of iust reproch, and in stéed of fame purchased vnto themselues nought else but méere discredit in their better and more learned trea|tises. The like commonlie happeneth also to such, as in respect of lucre doo publish vnprofitable and perni|cious volumes, wherby they doo consume their times in vaine, and in manifold wise become preiudiciall vnto their common wealths. For my part I will not touch anie man herein particularlie, no not our Demetrius, of whom Plutarch speaketh in his oracles (if those bookes were written by him, for some thinke that Plutarch neuer wrote them, although Eusebius lib. 4. cap. 8. dooth acknowledge them to be his) which Demetrius left sundrie treatises behind him, contei|ning woonderfull things collected of our Iland. But sith that in my time they are found to be false, it should be far vnmeet to remember them anie more: for who is he which will beléeue, that infernall spirits can die and giue vp their ghosts like mortall men? though Saxo séeme to consent vnto him in this be|halfe. In speaking also of the out Iles, he saith thus: Beyond Britaine are manie desolate Ilands, where|of some are dedicated to the Gods, some to the noble Heroes. I sailed (saith he) by the helpe of the king vn|to one that laie néere hand, onelie to see and view the same, in which I found few inhabitants, and yet such as were there, were reputed and taken for men of great pietie and holinesse. During the time also that I remained in the same, it was vexed with great storme and tempest, which caused me not a little to doubt of my safe returne. In the end, demanding of the inhabitants what the cause should be of this so great and sudden mutation of the aire? they answe|red, that either some of the Gods, or at the least of the Heroes were latelie deceased: for as a candle (said they) hurteth none whilest it burneth, but being stenderlie put out annoieth manie with the filthie sa|uour: so these Gods, whilest they liued, were either not hurtfull, or verie beneficiall to mankind; but be|ing once deceassed, they so mooue the heauens and aire, that much mischéefe dooth insue eftsoones vpon the same.

Being also inquisitiue of the state of other Iles not farre off, they told him further, how there was one hard by, wherin Saturne being ouertaken with a dead sléepe, was watched by Briarous as he laie, which Saturne also had manie spirits attending vpon him in sundrie functions and offices. By which reports it is easie to conceiue, with what vaine stuffe that volume of Demetrius is interlaced. But of such writers as we haue too too manie, so among the said rable Geruase of Tilberie is not the least famous, a man as it were euen sold to vtter matters of more admiration than credit to the world. For what a tale telleth he in his De otio imperiali, of Wandleburie hilles, that lie within sight & by south of Cambridge (where the Uandals incamped sometime, when they entered into this Iland) and of a spirit that would of custome in a moone shine night (if he were chalenged and called therevnto) run at tilt and turneie in com|plet armor with anie knight or gentleman whomso|euer, in that place: and how one Osbert of Barne|well, hearing the report thereof, armed himselfe, and being well mounted, rode thither alone with one es|quier, and called for him, who foorthwith appeared in rich armour, and answered his chalenge, so that run|ning togither verie fiercelie, they met with such ri|gor, that the answerer was ouerthrowne and borne downe to the ground. After this they bickered on foot so long, till Osbert ouercame and draue him to flight, who departed, leauing his horsse behind him, which was of huge stature, blacke (as he saith) of co|lour, with his furniture of the same hue, and where|vpon he seized, giuing him vnto his page, who cari|ed him home, and there kept him till it was néere daie, during which space he was seene of manie. But when the daie light began to shew it selfe some|what cléere, the beast stamped and snorted, and foorth|with breaking his raine, he ran awaie, and was no more heard of to his knowledge in that countrie. In the meane season Osbert being verie faint, and wax|ing wearie (for he was sore wounded in the thigh, which either he knew not of, or at the leastwise dis|sembled to know it) caused his leg-harnesse or stéele|bootes to be pulled off, which his fréends saw to be full of bloud spilled in the voiage. But let who so list be|léeue it, sith it is either a fable deuised, or some diue|lish illusion, if anie such thing were doone. And on mine owne behalfe, hauing (I hope) the feare of God before my eies, I purpose here to set downe no more than either I know my selfe to be true, or am credi|blie informed to be so, by such godly men, as to whom nothing is more deare than to speake the truth, and not anie thing more odious than to discredit them|selues by lieng.Foure woon|ders of Eng|land. In writing therefore of the woon|ders of England, I find that there are foure notable things, which for their rarenesse amongst the com|mon sort, are taken for the foure miracles and woon|ders of the land.

The first of these is a vehement and strong wind, which issueth out of the hilles called the Peke, so vio|lent and strong, that at certeine times if a man doo cast his cote or cloake into the caue from whence it issueth, it driueth the same backe againe, hoising it a|loft into the open aire with great force and vehe|mencie. Of this also Giraldus speaketh.

The second is the miraculous standing or rather hanging of certeine stones vpon the plaine of Salis|burie, whereof the place is called Stonehenge. And to saie the truth, they may well be woondered at, not onelie for the manner of position, whereby they be|come verie difficult to be numbred, but also for their greatnesse & strange maner of lieng of some of them one vpon another, which séemeth to be with so tickle hold, that few men go vnder them without feare of their present ruine. How and when these stones were brought thither, as yet I can not read; howbeit it is most likelie, that they were raised there by the Britons, after the slaughter of their nobilitie at the deadlie banket, which Hengist and his Saxons pro|uided for them, where they were also buried, and Uortigerne their king apprehended and led awaie as captiue. I haue heard that the like are to be séene in Ireland; but how true it is as yet I can not learne. The report goeth also, that these were brought from thence, but by what ship on the sea, and cariage by land, I thinke few men can safelie imagine.

The third is an ample and large hole vnder the ground, which some call Carcer Aeoli, but in English Chedderhole, whereinto manie men haue entred & walked verie farre. Howbeit, as the passage is large and nothing no illegible some: so diuerse that haue aduentu|red to go into the same, could neuer as yet find the end of that waie, neither sée anie other thing than pretie riuerets and streames, which they often cros|sed as they went from place to place. This Chedder-hole or Chedder rocke is in Summersetshire, and thence the said waters run till they méet with the second Ax that riseth in Owkie hole.

The fourth is no lesse notable than anie of the o|ther. For westward vpon certeine hilles a man shall sée the clouds gather togither in faire weather vnto a certeine thicknesse, and by and by to spread them|selues abroad and water their fields about them, as it were vpon the sudden. The causes of which disper|sion, as they are vtterlie vnknowne: so manie men coniecture great store of water to be in those hilles, & verie néere at hand, if it were néedfull to be sought for.

Besides these foure maruelles, there is a little rockie Ile in Aber Barrie (a riueret that falleth into the Sauerne sea) called Barrie, which hath a rift or clift next the first shore; wherevnto if a man doo laie his eare, he shall heare such noises as are common|lie made in smiths forges, to wit, clinking of iron barres, beating with hammers, blowing of bellow|ses, and such like: whereof the superstitious sort doo gather manie toies, as the gentiles did in old time of their lame god Uulcans pot. The riuer that run|neth by Chester changeth hir chanell euerie moneth: the cause whereof as yet I can not learne; neither dooth it swell by force of anie land-floud, but by some vehement wind it oft ouer-runneth hir banks. In Snowdonie are two lakes, whereof one beareth a moouable Iland, which is carried to and fro as the wind bloweth. The other hath thrée kinds of fishes in it, as eeles, trowts, and perches: but herein re|steth the woonder, that all those haue but one eie a péece onelie, and the same situate in the right side of their heads. And this I find to be confirmed also by authors: There is a well in the forrest of Gnares|borow, whereof the said forrest dooth take the name; which water, beside that it is cold as Stix, in a cer|teine period of time knowne, conuerteth wood, flesh, leaues of trées, and mosse into hard stone, without alteration or changing of shape. The like also is séene there in frogs, wormes, and such like liuing crea|tures as fall into the same, and find no readie issue. Of this spring also Leland writeth thus; A little a|boue March (but at the further banke of Nide riuer as I came) I saw a well of wonderfull nature called Dropping well, because the water thereof distilleth out of great rockes hard by into it continuallie, which is so cold, and thereto of such nature, that what thing soeuer falleth out of those rocks into this pit, or groweth néere thereto, or be cast into it by mans hand, it turneth into stone. It may be (saith he) that some sand or other fine ground issueth out with this water from these hard rocks, which cleauing vnto those things, giueth them in time the forme of stones &c. Neere vnto the place where Winburne monaste|rie sometimes stood, also not farre from Bath there is a faire wood whereof if you take anie péece, and pitch it into the ground thereabouts, or throw it into the water, within twelue moneths it will turne into hard stone. In part of the hilles east southeast of Alderleie, a mile from Kingswood, are stones dailie found, perfectlie fashioned like cockles and mightie oisters, which some dreame haue lien there euer since the floud. In the clifts betwéene the Blacke head and Trewardeth baie in Cornwall, is a certeine caue, where things appeare like images guilded, on the sides of the same, which I take to be nothing but the shining of the bright ore of coppar and other mettals readie at hand to be found there, if anie diligence were vsed. Howbeit, because it is much maruelled at as a rare thing, I doo not thinke it to be vnméet to be placed amongst our woonders. Maister Guise had of late, and still hath (for aught that I know) a manor in Glocestershire, where certeine okes doo grow, whose rootes are verie hard stone. And beside this, the ground is so fertile there (as they saie) that if a man hew a stake of anie wood, and pitch it into the earth, it will grow and take rooting beyond all expec|tation. Siluecester towne also is said to conteine fourescore acres of land within the walles, whereof some is corne-ground (as Leland saith) and the graine which is growing therein dooth come to verie good perfection till it be readie to be cut downe: but euen then, or about that time it vanisheth away & be|commeth altogither vnprofitable. Is it any woonder (thinke you) to tell of sundrie causes neere to Brow|ham, on the west side of the riuer Aimote, wherein are halles, chambers, and all offices of houshold cut out of the hard rocke? If it be, then may we increase the number of maruels verie much by a rehearsall of other also. For we haue manie of the like, as one neere saint Assaphs vpon the banke of Elwie, and a|bout the head of Uendrath Uehan in Wales, where|into men haue often entred and walked, and yet found nothing but large roomes, and sandie ground vnder their féet, and other else-where. But sith these things are not strange, I let them alone, and go for|ward with the rest.

In the parish of Landsarnam in Wales, and in the side of a stonie hill, is a place wherein are foure and twentie seats hewen out of the hard rockes; but who did cut them, and to what end, as yet it is not learned. As for the huge stone that lieth at Pem|ber in Guitherie parish, and of the notable carcasse that is affirmed to lie vnder the same, there is no cause to touch it here: yet were it well doone to haue it remoued, though it were but onlie to sée what it is, which the people haue in so great estimation & reue|rence. There is also a poole in Logh Taw, among the blacke mounteins in Brecknockshire, where (as is said) is the head of Taw that commeth to Swan|seie, which hath such a propertie, that it will bréed no fish at all, & if anie be cast into it, they die without re|couerie: but this peraduenture may grow throgh the accidentall corruption of the water, rather than the naturall force of the element it selfe. There is also a lin in Wales, which in the one side beareth trowts so red as samons, and in the other, which is the west|erlie side, verie white and delicate. I heare also of two welles not far from Landien, which stand verie néere togither, and yet are of such diuersitie of na|ture, that the one beareth sope, and is a maruellous fine water; the other altogither of contrarie quali|ties. Which is not a litle to be mused at, considering (I saie) that they participate of one soile, and rise so nigh one to another. I haue notice giuen me more|ouer of a stone not farre from saint Dauids, which is verie great, as a bed, or such like thing: and being raised vp, a man may stirre it with his thumbe; but not with his shoulder or force of his whole bodie.

There is a well not farre from stonie Stratford, which conuerteth manie things into stone; and an other in Wales, which is said to double or triple the force of anie edge toole that is quenched in the same. In Tegenia, a parcell of Wales, there is a noble well (I meane in the parish of Kilken) which is of maruellous nature, and much like to another well at Seuill in Spaine: for although it be six miles from the sea, it ebbeth and floweth twise in one daie, al|waies ebbing when the sea dooth vse to flow, and in flowing likewise when the sea dooth vse to ebbe; wher|of some doo fable, that this well is ladie and mistresse of the ocean. Not farre from thence also is a medi|cinable spring called Schinant of old time, but now Wenefrides well, in the edges whereof dooth breed a verie odoriferous and delectable mosse, wherewith the head of the smeller is maruellouslie refreshed. O|ther welles and water-courses we haue likewise, which at some times burst out into huge streames, though at other seasons they run but verie softlie, whereby the people gather some alteration of estate to be at hand. And such a one there is at Henleie, & an other at Croidon; & such a one also in the golden dale beside Anderne in Picardie, whereof the common sort imagine manie things. Some of the greater sort also giue ouer to run at all in such times, wherof they conceiue the like opinion. And of the same na|ture, though of no great quantitie, is a pit or well at Langleie parke in Kent, whereof (by good hap) it was my lucke to read a notable historie in an anci|ent chronicle that I saw of late. What the foolish people dreame of the hell Kettles, it is not worthie the rehearsall; yet to the end the lewd opinion con|ceiued of them may grow into contempt, I will saie thus much also of those pits. There are certeine pits, or rather three little pooles, a mile from Darlington, and a quarter of a mile distant from the These banks which the people call the Kettles of hell, or the diuels Kettles, as if he should séeth soules of sinfull men and women in them. They adde also, that the spirits haue oft beene heard to crie and yell about them, with other like talke sauoring altogether of pagan infidelitie. The truth is, and of this opinion also was Cutbert Tunstall late bishop of Durham, a man (notwithstanding the basenesse of his birth, being be|gotten by one Tunstall vpon a daughter of the house of the Commers, as Leland saith) of great learning and iudgement, that the cole-mines in those places are kindled, or if there be no coles, there may a mine of some other vnctuous matter be set on fire, which being here and there consumed, the earth falleth in, and so dooth leaue a pit. Indéed the water is now and then warme (as they saie) and beside that it is not cléere: the people suppose them to be an hundred fadam déepe. The biggest of them also hath an issue into the These, as experience hath confirmed. For doctor Bellowes aliàs Belzis made report, how a ducke marked after the fashion of the duckes of the bishoprike of Durham, was put into the same be|twixt Darlington and These banke, and afterward séene at a bridge not farre from master Clereuar house. If it were woorth the noting, I would also make relation of manie wooden crosses found verie often about Halidon, whereof the old inhabitants conceiued an opinion that they were fallen from hea|uen; whereas in truth, they were made and borne by king Oswald and his men in the battell wherein they preuailed sometimes against the British infidels, vpon a superstitious imagination, that those crosses should be their defense and shield against their ad|uersaries. Beda calleth the place where the said field was fought, Heauen field; it lieth not far from the Pictish wall, and the famous monasterie of Ha|golstad. But more of this elsewhere. Neither will I speake of the little hillets séene in manie pla|ces of our Ile, whereof though the vnskilfull people babble manie things: yet are they nothing else but Tumuli or graues of former times, as appeareth by such tooms & carcasses as be daily found in the same, when they be digged downe. The like fond ima|gination haue they of a kind of lunarie, which is to be found in manie places, although not so well kno|wen by the forme vnto them, as by the effect there|of, because it now and then openeth the lockes hang|ing on the horses féet as hit vpon it where it groweth in their féeding. Roger Bacon our countrieman no|teth it to grow plentiouslie in Tuthill fields about London. I haue heard of it to be within compasse of the parish where I dwell, and doo take it for none other than the Sfera Cauallo, whereof Mathiolus and the herbarists doo write, albeit that it hath not béene my lucke at anie time to behold it. Plinie calleth it Aethiopis: and Aelianus, Oppianus, Kyramis, and Trebius haue written manie superstitious things thereof, but especiallie our Chymists, who make it of farre more vertue than our smiths doo their ferne séed, whereof they babble manie woonders, and prate of such effects as may well be performed indéed when the ferne beareth séed, which is commonly Ad calendas Graecas, for before it will not be found. But to pro|céed. There is a well in Darbieshire called Tides|well (so named of the word tide, or to ebbe and flow) whose water often séemeth to rise and fall, as the sea which is fortie miles from it dooth vsuallie accustome to ebbe and flow. And hereof an opinion is growen that it keepeth an ordinarie course as the sea dooth. Howbeit, sith diuerse are knowne to haue watched the same, it may be that at sometimes it riseth, but not continuallie; and that it so dooth I am fullie per|suaded to beléeue. But euen inough of the woonders of our countrie, least I doo séeme by talking longer of them, woonderouslie to ouershoot my selfe, and forget how much dooth rest behind of the description of my countrie. As for those that are to be touched of Scot|land, the description of that part shall in some part remember them.