A Geographical Description of All the Countries in the Known World, Part 1 · Subpart 121 – Subpart 141
Bristow described.
The City of Bristow hath the River Avon passing through the midst of it: It stands partly in Sommerset, and partly in Gloucester-shire; But is of it self a County incorporate: It is situate somewhat high between Avon, and the little River Frome: sometimes it was invironed with a double wall: it is so beautified with buildings publick and private, that it fully answers the name of Bright-stow. It hath common sewers or sinks so made to run under the ground for the conveyance, and washing away of all filth, that it is very cleanly, and wholsome, whereupon there is no use here of Carts; it is excellently furnished with all things necessary for mans life, so populous, and well inhabited, that next after London, and York, it may justly challenge the chiefest place of all the Cities in England. It hath a very commodious Haven, which admitteth Ships under sail into the very bosome of the City; on the Southside, Radcliffe (by a stone Bridge with houses on each hand built upon it, which makes it more like a street, than a Bridge) is joyned to the City. It hath Hospitals in every quarter thereof, for the benefit of the poor, and fair Churches. The most beautiful of all which, is St. Maries of Radcliff without the walls, into which there is a most stately ascent up many stairs: large withal, and finely and curiously wrought, with an arched roof of stone over the head, artificially embowed: a steeple also of an exceeding height, which was founded by one VVilliam Cannings an Alderman of the City. Hard by there is another Church called the Temple, the Tower whereof when the Bell rings shaketh to, and fro, whereby it hath cloven it self from the rest of the building. There is also St. Stephens Church, The Tower steeple whereof being of a mighty height, was most sumptuously and artificially built by one Shipward, alias Barstable, a Citizen, and Merchant. On the East, and North side its fenced with the River Frome, which gently falling into the Avon, maketh a dainty harbour for ships, with a convenient wharf, called the Kay: under which, between Avon and Frome there is a plain, set round about with trees, yeelding a most pleasant walk: On the South East there is a large and strong Castle for the defence of the City: Beyond the River Frome (which hath a Bridge over it) there ariseth an high hill, from which is a fair, and goodly prospect of the City, and haven: upon the top of this Hill, where it spreads into a plain, shadowed with a double row of trees, is an handsome School. This City is further beautified with many stately buildings: amongst the rest is the Cathedral Church, &c. Neer unto this City is an high Cliffe by the Avons side, called St. Vincents Rock, very full of Diamonds, which are not much set by, because of the plenty of them: They are of a bright and transparent colour, matching, if not passing the Indian Diamonds, in hardnesse only they are inferior to them: Nature hath framed them four or six pointed with smooth sides; as if cut by a Lapidary. There is another Rock also on the West side full of Diamonds, which by a wonderful work of nature, are enclosed as young ones within the bowels of hollow, and reddish flints.
There are within this City, and suburbs, twenty fair Churches, whereof eighteen are parish Churches: there is no dunghill in all the City, nor a sink that comes from any house into the street, but all is conveyed under ground: they carry all upon sleads, and bring no Carts into the City. The water at the Kay sometimes ebbs and flows forty foot in height. Four miles below it, the Avon falls into the Severn; the Bridge is half as long as London bridge, and yet hath but four Arches in it.
The City of Wells Described.
Neer unto Mendip hills, which are rich in Lead-Mines, stands the City of Wells, so named from the springs, or wells that boil up there, which for the multitude of Inhabitants, for fair, and stately buildings, is worthy to bee regarded. A goodly Church it hath, and a Colledge founded by King Ina. Neer unto the Church, there is a spring called St. Andrews well, from whence comes such a confluence of water, as by and by makes a swift brook. The Church is throughout very beautifull, but the frontispice thereof in the West end is most excellent: for it riseth up from the foot to the top all of Imagery, in curious and antike wise wrought of stone carved, and embowed very artificially.
The City of Bath Described.
This City is seated low in a plain, environed round about with hills, almost of one height, out of which certain rills of fresh water flow continually to the great commodity of the Citizens; within the City there bubble and boil up in three several places hot springs of water, of a Sea colour, sending up from them thin vapours, and a kind of a strong sent withall, by reason that the water is drilled, and strained through veines of Brimstone, and a clammy kind of earth called Bitumen. These springs are very medicinal, and of great vertue to cure bodies, overcharged and benummed with corrupt humors: by their heat causing much sweat. Of all these the Cross-Bath is of the most mild, and temperate nature, having twelve seats of stone in the sides of it, and is inclosed within a wall. A second, distant from this not fully two hundred foot is much hotter, thence called the Hot-Bath, adjoyning to which is a Spittle or Lazar-house, built by Reginald Bishop of Bath for the relief of poor diseased persons. The third and greatest is called the Kings-Bath, walled also round about, and fitted with thirty two seates of Arched work. The City is fortified with walls; wherein are set certain Antique Images, and Roman inscriptions; and hath in it a fair and large Cathedral Church.
The City of Excester in Devonshire Described.
The City of Excester stands upon the River Ex, whence it receives its name. It is pleasantly seated upon the gentle ascent of an hill: The Walls of it, which were first built by King Athelstone, are in a manner round, only towards the Ex it rangeth almost in a strait line, having six gates for entrance, and many watch-Towers interposed betwixt, whose compass containeth above one thousand and five hundred paces, or a mile and an half, having Suburbs running out a great way on each side. In it there are fifteen Parish Churches: and in the highest part thereof neer the East Gate, standeth a Castle called Rugemont, commanding the whole City, and territory about it, and hath a very pleasant prospect into the Sea. In the East quarter of the City stands the Cathedral Church, having many fair houses round about it. By reason of some Wears the River is so stopped up that no vessels can come neerer the City than Topsham, which is three miles off. The soil about it is but barren: yet by reason of the statlinesse of the place, the riches of the Inhabitants, and the frequent concourse of strangers, all kinds of commodities are there so plentiful, that a man can ask for no necessary but he may have it.
The City of Winchester Described.
In the County of Hamtshire is the City of Winchester, situated in a fruitful and pleasant place, being a valley under hills, having a River on the East, and a Castle on the VVest: the circuit of her Walls are well neer two English miles, containing one thousand eight hundred and eighty paces, through which open six gates for entrance. In this City are seven Churches, besides the Minster which is seated about the middest of it, and built very sumptuously.
The City of Chichester in the County of Sussex Described.
The City of Chichester is walled about in a circular round form: The Lavant, a pretty riveret, running hard by it on the VVest, and South sides. Four gates it hath opening to the four quarters of the world, from whence the streets lead directly, and crosse themselves in the middest, where the market is kept, and where Bishop Robert Read erected a fair market house of stone, supported with pillars round about it. Between the West, and South Gates stands the Cathedral Church: not very great, but handsome, and neat, having a spire steeple of stone rising a very great height.
The City of Canterbury in Kent Described.
Canterbury is a very Ancient and famous City in Kent, much renowned both for the situation, and great fertility of the soil adjoyning, as also for the walls enclosing it round about: By reason likewise of the Rivers watering it, and commodiousnesse of the woods there about; besides the vicinity of the Sea, yeilding store of Fish to serve it. And though it was sore shaken in the Danish warres, and consumed in a great part sundry times by fire, yet rose it up always again more beautifull than it was before. The Cathedral is raised aloft neer the heart of the City with great Majesty, and stateliness.
The City of Rochester Described.
In the same County is the City of Rochester, seated in a bottome, fortified on the one side with a Marsh, the river Medway, and weak walls. It is now stretched out with large Suburbs, on the East, West, and South sides: The Cathedral Church, was built by Bishop Gundulph, a Norman, Anno Christi 1080. neer unto it stands an old ruinous Castle, fortified formerly both by art and situation. At the end of the City there is a very goodly Bridge of stone excellently Arched, built by Sir Robert Knowls, at the end whereof Sir John Cobham erected a Chappel: and the bridge is daintily coped with Iron bars; under which the River Medway, swelling with a violent, and swift stream, makes a loud roaring noise.
The City of Glocester Described.
The City of Glocester is a very fine, and beautiful City, both for the number of Churches, and buildings therein. It lyeth stretched out in length over the Severn: and on that side where it is not guarded by the River; it hath in some places a strong wall for defence. The Cathedral Church is a stately building, with an exceeding high and fair steeple. In an Arch of this Church, there is a wall built in the form of a semicircle full of corners, with such an Artificial devise, that if a man speak with never so low a voice at the one part thereof, and another lay his ear to the other; which is a good way off, he may easily hear every sillable.
The City of Oxford Described.
Where the River Cherwel meets with Isis, and pleasant Ilets lye dispersed by the sundry disseverings of waters, there this famous City, and University of Oxford, sheweth it self aloft in a champion plain, from whence Religion, and learning have been spread into all the parts of England. A fair and goodly City it is, whether wee respect the seemly beauty of private houses, or the stately magnificence of publick buildings, together with the wholsome situation, and pleasant prospect thereof. For the hills beset with woods, do so environ the plain, that as on the one side they exclude the pestilent Southwind, and the tempestuous West-wind on the other, so they let in the clearing East-wind only, and the North-East-wind with all, which frees it from all corruption, whence sometimes it was called Bellositum.
The City of Eli Described.
The City of Eli is situate in the middest of great and large Fens, and was formerly famous for the reputed holinesse of the Nuns there residing: and for a stately Monastery, so rich that the Abbot thereof, not long after VVilliam the Conquerors time, laid up every year in his own Coffers, a thousand and four hundred pounds. King Henry the first made it a Bishops Sea, promoting thereto one Hervey, who sought by all means to advance the dignity of his Church: For which end hee obtained of the King that it might bee Toll-free: hee made a way also from Exing to Eli through the Fens, of six miles in length: and the Monks growing rich, the Cathedrall Church being much decayed through age, they by little and little built it, and brought it to the ample statelinesse which now it hath. A Lanthorn it hath at the very top thereof, just over the Quire supported by eight Pillars, and raised upon them right Artificially, built by John Hothum the Bishop: and under the Church towards the North, stands St. Maries chappel, a singular fine peece of work, built by Simon Montacut… Bishop: The City it self is not much to bee accounted of either for beauty, or resort of people to it, as having an unwholsome air by reason of the Fens round about it.
The City of Lincoln Described.
The City of Lincoln is large, and well inhabited, and frequented, It stands upon the side of an hill, where the River VVitham bends his course Eastward, and being divided with three small channels, watereth the Lower part of the City. In the highest part of the City the Cathedral is erected, a stately structure, being built through out, not only most sumptuously, but with rare and singular workmanship, most beautiously: especially the forefront at the West end, which in a sort ravisheth, and allureth the eyes of all that judiciously view it; very ancient this City is, and hath been farre larger, and more populous: It hath in it fifty Parish Churches: whereof at this day there remain only fifteen besides the Minster.
The City of Norwich in Northfolk described
Norwich is situated upon the River Yare: the form of it is somewhat long, being from South to North a mile and an half long, and in breadth about half so much, drawing it self in by little and little, in the Southend; making in a manner a sharp point; compassed it is about with strong walls, beautified with many Turrets orderly placed, and twelve gates: only it is not walled on the East side, where the River (after it hath with many windings in and out, watered the North part of the City, having four Bridges for passage over it) is a sufficient defence with his deep channel, and high steep banks. It flourisheth with wealth, plenty of inhabitants, great resort of strangers, fair buildings, and hath in it about thirty Parish Churches: on the East side of it stands a very fair Cathedral Church near unto the Castle, built upon a very high hill, which was compassed about with an exceeding deep ditch. In the midst of the City near the Market-place is a very fair Town-house, which on Market-dayes is plentifully furnished with all things necessary for mans life. The Netherlanders being driven away by the Duke d' Alva's cruelty, repairing hither in great numbers, brought in the making of Sayes, Bayes, and other stuffe, to the great gain of the Citizens. Anno Christi 1583. the Citizens conveyed water out of the River in pipes by an artificial instrument, into the highest parts of the City.
The City of Coventry in Warwickshire described.
Coventry is a City very commodiously seated, large, sweet, and neat, fortified with very strong walls which are about three miles in compasse, through which are thirteen gates for enterance, most of them very stately, and strongly built, besides eighteen other Towers in several parts of the wall for defence. A little River called Shirburn runs through the City, which is beautified with many fair and goodly houses, amongst which there rise up on high two Churches, of rare workmanship: St. Michaels, and Trinity, standing one hard by another, with stately spire steeples of a very great height. In the midst of the City is the Market-place, called the Cross-cheaping, and therein a Crosse, or Pillar of stone of most exquisite, and admirable workmanship: there is also a very fair Grammer-school, and a neat Library at the end of it, with convenient habitations for the Master, and Usher: near unto it is VVel-street, and therein a very large fountain that continually sends forth great plenty of excellent water. The City had very large suburbs belonging to it, especially in the East and West ends, most whereof were broken down in our late Civil wars, and a large Trench made on the outside of the walls.
The City of Worcester described.
Under the City of Worcester runs the Severn with a slow pace, as admiring, and wondring at the City as it passeth by: and truly worthy it is of admiration, whether you respect the antiquity, or the beauty thereof. It stands in a place rising somewhat with a gentle ascent by the Rivers side that hath a fair Bridge, with a Tower over it. It is well, and strongly walled; and the inhabitants are much inriched by the trade of cloathing. It is one thousand six hundred and fifty paces about the walls, through which seven Gates give entrance, with five other VVatch Towers for defence, there are in it divers Churches besides the Cathedral, which is seated on the South side of the City; and is a passing fair and stately building, adorned with the Tombs, and Monuments of King John, Prince Arthur, diverse of the Beauchamps, &c.
The City of Lichfield in Staffordshire described.
Lichfield is a very ancient City, known unto Bede by the name of Lichidfield, i. e. the field of dead bodies, by reason of a number of Christians there martyred in the bloody persecution under the Emperor Dioclesian. This City is low seated, of a good largenesse, and fair withal, divided into two parts by a shallow pool of clear water; which parts are yet joyned into one by two Bridges, or causway's made over it, having sluces to let out the water, the South part is the greater, consisting of divers streets, having in it a School, and an Hospital of St. John, founded for the relief of the poor. The farther part is the lesse, but beautified with a very goodly Cathedral Church: which is round about compassed with a very fair wall, Castle-like: This Church mounteth up on high with three Pyramids or spires of stone, making an excellent shew, and for elegant, and proportionable building yeeldeth to few Cathedrals in England: But by our late civil wars it is much defaced.
The City of Westchester described.
The City of Chester is built foursquare, and is inclosed with a strong wall that is above two miles in compasse, and hath in it eleven Parish Churches, the fairest of which is that of St. Johns without Eastgate, being a very stately building: near unto the River Dee standeth the Castle upon a rockie-hill, where the Courts Palatine, and the Assises are kept twice a year. The houses are built very fair, and along the chief streets are galleries, or walking-places, they call them Rowes, having shops on both sides, in which a man may walk dry from one end to the other. Here King Edgar in a magnificent manner triumphed over the Brittish Princes: for himself sitting at the foredeck of his Barge, Kennadie King of the Scots: Malcolin King of Cumberland; Mucon, King of Man, and of the Isles, with all the Princes of VVales, comming to do homage, like watermen working at the Oare; rowed him along the River Dee in a triumphant manner. There is in it a very large, and fair Cathedral Church, wherein is the Tomb of Henry the fourth, Emperor of Germany, who (as they say) gave over his Empire, and lived here an Eremites life. This City wants not any thing required in a flourishing City, but that the Sea, being offended, and angry (as it were) at certain Mills, and a causway made crosse the channel of the River Dee, hath by degrees drawn himself back, and affordeth not unto the City the commodity of an haven, which formerly it did injoy. The wall hath in it four fair gates, opening towards the four quarters of heaven, besides three Posterns, and seven watch-Towers.
Before the desolations made by our late civil wars, without the East, and North gate, the City extended herself in her suburbs, with very fair streets, adorned with goodly buildings, both of Gentlemens houses, and fair Innes for the entertainment of strangers. The Water-Gate leadeth to the River of Dee, where it enters into the mouth of the Sea, and by which is a fine spacious peece of ground, called the Rood-eye, yeelding pleasure and profit: and upon which the Citizens walk for the air, and use sundry recreations. The Bridge-Gate hath lately been beautified by a seemly water-work of stone, built steeple-wise, by the invention, and charge of Mr. John Tyrer, and is of excellent use for conveying the River-water into the Citizens houses thro…gh pipes of Lead, and wood, into almost all parts of the City.
The City of Hereford described.
The City of Hereford is seated amongst pleasant medows, and plentiful Corn-fields, compassed almost round about with Rivers; on the North, and West sides with one that hath no name, on the South side with the River Wy, that commeth out of Wales. It is walled about, having six Gates …or entrance, and fifteen Watch-Towers for defence, extending in compasse to one thousand five hundred paces. The Normans upon the side of Wy, built in it a mighty great and strong Castle, which time hath so defaced, that now there remains nothing but the ruines of it. The greatest glory that this City had, was when King Athelstan brought the Lords of VVales into it, and forced them yearly by way of tribute to pay him (besides Hounds and Hawks) twenty pounds of gold, and there hundred pounds of silver by weight.
The City of York described.
The City of York is very ancient, and of so great estimation formerly, that the Roman Emperors kept their Courts there. It is at this day the second City of England, the fairest in all the Country, and a singular, both safeguard and ornament to all the Northern parts. A pleasant place, large, and stately, well fortified, beautifully adorned, as well with private, as publick buildings, rich, populous, and was lately an Archiepiscopal See. The River Ouse flowing with a gentle stream from the North part, Southward, cutteth it in twain, and divides it as it were into two Cities, which are conjoyned with a stone Bridge, having in it a mighty Arch of extraordinary bignesse. The VVest part is compassed in with a very fair wall, and the River together, foursquare wise, and gives entrance only at one gate, from which a long and broad Street reacheth unto the very bridge; which is beautified with handsome houses, having Gardens, and Orchards, planted on the backside on either hand, and behind them fields even to the walls, for exercise and disport. On the East side the houses stand very thick, and the Streets are narrower, and it is fortified also with a strong wall, and on the South-East it is defended with the deep channel of the muddy River Fosse, which entring into the heart of the City by a blind way, hath a Bridge over it with houses built upon it, and so close ranged one by another, that a man would judge it a Street rather than a Bridge, and so a little lower it runneth into the Ouse, where at there confluence, a strong and stately Castle was built that commanded the City, but is now gone to decay. Towards the North stands the Cathedral Church, an excellent fair and stately Fabrick.
King Henry the Eight appointed here a Council, not unlike to the Parliaments in France, to decide and determine the causes, and controversies of these Northern parts, according to equity and co…science, consisting of a Lord President, certain Counsellors, a Secretary, and under officers. This City is governed by a Lord Maior, twelve Aldermen, many Chamberlains, a Recorder, a Town Clerk, six Sergeants at Mace, and two Squires, which are the Sword-Bearer, and common Sergeant, who with a great Mace goeth on the left hand of the Sword.
The City of Durham Described.
The City of Durham is seated high, and is passing strong withall, yet taketh it up no great circuit of ground: It is of an Oval form, and environed on every side, save on the North, with the River Weer, and fortified with a wall: Towards the Southside stands the Cathedrall Church: built high, and stately, with an high Tower in the middest, and two Spires at the West end. In the middest is a Castle placed as it were between two stone bridges over the River. Northward from the Castle is a spacious Market place, and St. Nicholas Church, from whence there runneth out for a great length North-East, a Suburb compassed on two sides with the River, like as other on both sides beyond the River, which lead unto the Bridges, and each of them have their several Churches. Venerable Bede lies under a marble Tomb, in the Cathedral Church of this City.
The City of Carlile in the County of Cumberland Described.
The City of Carlile is passing commodiously, and pleasantly seated between severall rivers; being guarded on the North side with the Channel of Eden, on the East with Petteril, on the West with Caud: Besides which natural fences, it is fortified with strong walls of stone, with a Castel, and a Citadel: In form it is somewhat long, running out from West to East: On the West side stands the Castle, fair, and large. Almost in the middest of the City, riseth on high the Cathedral Church, the upper and newer part of it being very artificially, and curiously wrought: On the West side stands the Citadel built by King Henry the eight, very strongly and with bulworks.